madison Bob, DZ cues, Layani decision

D

diablo

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
hi guys!

i'm doing a favor for a friend who's already a pro here in my country(philippines) who plays damn good but who's a cue buff, has little knowledge about the more detailed cue stuff when it comes to playability, let's help him decide which of the three cues you think is a wise purchase in terms of playability, hit, feedback, etc. blah blah blah. he will not have the chance to try out these cues since this will be bought online. let's say all 3 makers have these cues in the $400-$600 range.

thanks!
 
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diablo said:
hi guys!

i'm doing a favor for a friend who's already a pro here in my country(philippines) who plays damn good but who's a cue buff, has little knowledge about the more detailed cue stuff when it comes to playability, let's help him decide which of the three cues you think is a wise purchase in terms of playability, hit, feedback, etc. blah blah blah. he will not have the chance to try out these cues since this will be bought online. let's say all 3 makers have these cues in the $400-$600 range.

thanks!
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I didn't think Layani made anything below 1000...he is expensive I thought.

Even still, your best bang for the buck of those three is probably DZ cues. Everyone seems to like them and they are reasonably priced still.

Shorty
 
hey.

Shorty said:
I didn't think Layani made anything below 1000...he is expensive I thought.

Even still, your best bang for the buck of those three is probably DZ cues. Everyone seems to like them and they are reasonably priced still.

Shorty
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I'm with shorty on this one. DZ cues are as good as ANYBODY'S, and they are still reasonably priced, as far as custom cues go anyways.
 
Own a DZ sneaky and love it, just sold a scruggs sneaky that I could have easily of kept.

Have a madison bob cue on order, won't get it for a month or so.

Doubt you could go wrong with any of them.
 
manzino,

manzino is one of the finest up and coming cue makers, i have a titlest conversion from him, he does mostly high dollar cues, not sure you can get one in that price range, he is a great guy and will work with you throughout the cue building process, i know he makes a lot of high dollar cues that go directly overseas,

obrien,
 
thanks guys

hi all!

i appreciate all the inputs. by the way shorty i checked with layani cues and there are cues in the $400-600 range. its the layani natural collection.
this is one tough decision my friends it seems these three cues are all great hitting ones. just dont know about the layni though with its conical joint. whats too special about that joint?

thanks!

diablo
 
TheBook said:
What is so special about the Layani joint? If you believe all the stuff on his web site you should never miss a ball because it will make you shoot better.


The joint does the same as any other joint; it connect the shaft to the butt.

There is a topic about doing a blind test on cues.
http://azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=12838
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I don't believe understanding what I wrote on my website is a matter of faith nor something that will make you instantly a better player. Pool playing is all about practice, not only having a good instrument. It could be of interest for someone who wishes to understand what is happening to the cue while he shoots and how a certain cue construction can affect the hit and feel. As far as having the proper instrument, I don't believe there is a universal hit that corresponds to what a player is seeking, but definitely some instruments are better suited than others. Now reducing the construction of a cue to the mere function of holding every pieces together is in my honest opinion an uneducated comment (sorry Ed). There are many ways of constructing a cue and every cuemaker puts his effort, reflexion and ingeniosity into making what seems to be the best construction according to him. There are many styles of cues and this could only be the best thing since there are many types of players out there.
Now regarding the blind test that was done, there are unfortunately many flaws in the test itself, or at least in the conclusions drawn. Most conclude that since most players did not feel a difference that there is no difference. I know many friends who drink wine every week but that wouldn't be able to recognize wines from one another. Why? because they haven't developed their taste of wine in a systematic manner. What I mean to say is that this blind test could also show that most pool player have not developed their "taste" for cues and that it is hard for them to tell between two different cues. Does this mean there is no difference. No. It only means we need to educate ourself to the subtleties of different cue constructions.

In the end, to be fair to these 3 cuemakers, it means that there is a difference between these 3 types of cues, but that it is hard for someone to choose between something he has never tried. But for sure, all of them have put their talent together to be able to create what is in their mind the best they can accomplish.

Thierry Layani
www.layanicues.com
 
Well, in that price range, one cuemaker that makes a good cue for the money is Coker Cues, out in Sacremento, CA. Ask for Michi Coker, she's an angel and you can tell her Daris sent you. As far as other cuemakers are concerned, I so agree with folks on Gilbert, I've been hearing nothing but awesome things about his work.

I've had a chance to hit one of Layani's cues at Valley Forge. Solid hitting cue and because of the conical joint, the shaft is very secure in the joint. I personally do not like SS joints so it wouldn't be my first choice. I need to take a closer look at DZ cues since his name is starting get noticed more.
 
shoutout33 said:
I personally do not like SS joints so it wouldn't be my first choice.
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I'm not sure you could technically call it an SS joint because the male side of the joint is made of phenolic and the screw doesn't serve any purpose other than to secure the back end and get it started.

I have three Layanis so you could say I'm convinced that it works. Can't comment on the others but I'm sure they are solid cues.
 
IMO Madison Bobs cues are one of the best values on the market. They are well made, reasonable prices, and some of the best playing cues I have ever used.
 
diablo said:
hi guys!

i'm doing a favor for a friend who's already a pro here in my country(philippines) who plays damn good but who's a cue buff, has little knowledge about the more detailed cue stuff when it comes to playability, let's help him decide which of the three cues you think is a wise purchase in terms of playability, hit, feedback, etc. blah blah blah. he will not have the chance to try out these cues since this will be bought online. let's say all 3 makers have these cues in the $400-$600 range.

thanks!
Click to expand...

I have some Layani above the $1000 dollar range at the WPC. If you are coming, give me a shout. You have to try the cue yourself or else you will never know what you might have missed out.

Hope to see you.
 
I have a Madison Bob and It's the best cues I have for the price. It is a very solid cue, the hit is very hard though so if you want a soft hit you might want to look for something else.
 
Best Cue for the dollar

All -

I play with a Gina or Tad usually. But for the money I think the Gilbert cues are the best deal for the money. I think if you would compare most dealers they would agree.

JMHO

Ken
 
poolshoota74 said:
I have a Madison Bob and It's the best cues I have for the price. It is a very solid cue, the hit is very hard though so if you want a soft hit you might want to look for something else.
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It should also be mentioned that his balance point is quite far forward which is also a consideration.
 
Layani

Shorty said:
I didn't think Layani made anything below 1000...he is expensive I thought.

Even still, your best bang for the buck of those three is probably DZ cues. Everyone seems to like them and they are reasonably priced still.

Shorty
Click to expand...


Layani made me a players cue last year that was well under 1k and pretty much in range for what the original poster was looking for- I got 2 shafts with mooris. Birdseye forearm and buttplate with a ziricote handle. Thierry added some rings which was a nice touch. My particular cue is forward balanced with a very solid hit. Mellow but hard hit. Feels very straight in my hand. The problem for me is switching cues- I generally have to play a lot of hours with a cue to get used to it. My p2 is hard to put down and I have been playing well with it.

Thierry was very easy to deal with in terms of specs and what I was looking for. I was very pleased with the whole deal and with the cue.
 
Forgot something

gforces1911 said:
Layani made me a players cue last year that was well under 1k and pretty much in range for what the original poster was looking for- I got 2 shafts with mooris. Birdseye forearm and buttplate with a ziricote handle. Thierry added some rings which was a nice touch. My particular cue is forward balanced with a very solid hit. Mellow but hard hit. Feels very straight in my hand. The problem for me is switching cues- I generally have to play a lot of hours with a cue to get used to it. My p2 is hard to put down and I have been playing well with it.

Thierry was very easy to deal with in terms of specs and what I was looking for. I was very pleased with the whole deal and with the cue.
Click to expand...

I had the two shafts with 2 different tapers- I asked for one regular shaft and one with Thierry's stiffer taper. I have not hit any balls with the regular taper- only the stiffer. If I could I would probably trade it in or sell it for another stiffer taper shaft.
 
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