McDermott cues hit like a 2x4?

[tiptoety]

They are paid instructors. The one that told me the Mcdermott hits like a 2x4 used to own a pool hall, so he is freakishly good!

We've got 2 BCA Certified instructors in my area. Both are HORRIBLE at playing, and knowledge, but they're ok teachers. They paid their 1500 bux for the BCA Cert test/school thing, and here they are teaching old grannies how to shoot a stick shot.

My point is, you don't have to be knowledgeable, or a good shooter, or own a pool room to be a BCA Certified instructor... Just have to have the motivation and the cash. I think it's wrong for any player/person to advise against something like a cue that basically will work differently for each individual. That shows bias, ignorance, and wouldn't improve their standing with me personally.

Also until you've seen, played against, or gambled with a large amount of players, try not to put any player on a pedistool (sp). Your pool room owner might be a great shot, great person, etc, but that doesn't mean he's one of the great players, might be the best you've seen personally, or sell himself better than Fats. He crossed the line with me, and a few others when he tried to make you have the same opinions as him without any facts or knowledge. I play with an older Meucci, I don't recommend the next guy buy one unless it fits HIS personal style and stroke. Same would go for a McD. It depends on 'your' game.

PS if you can't make an educated decision on feel, hit, etc on your own yet. Keep figuring out 'your' game. You may ask questions about pros/cons of joints, ferrules, tips, etc. But no one here, or at your PH can give tell you what to choose / what not to choose, they can only share their experiences.

For your stick purchase/choice. It's not that hard, go check out some cues, hit some balls, and make a decision on your own with the money you can afford to spend. We can't tell you what will work for your game/stroke, and either can your 2 cent paid instructors. It's your preference.

 

[ballmover]

2 cents

i buy a 200 dollar sneaky from a custom cue maker and skip the production

 

[8-Ball Player]

We've got 2 BCA Certified instructors in my area. Both are HORRIBLE at playing, and knowledge, but they're ok teachers. They paid their 1500 bux for the BCA Cert test/school thing, and here they are teaching old grannies how to shoot a stick shot.

My point is, you don't have to be knowledgeable, or a good shooter, or own a pool room to be a BCA Certified instructor... Just have to have the motivation and the cash. I think it's wrong for any player/person to advise against something like a cue that basically will work differently for each individual. That shows bias, ignorance, and wouldn't improve their standing with me personally.

Also until you've seen, played against, or gambled with a large amount of players, try not to put any player on a pedistool (sp). Your pool room owner might be a great shot, great person, etc, but that doesn't mean he's one of the great players, might be the best you've seen personally, or sell himself better than Fats. He crossed the line with me, and a few others when he tried to make you have the same opinions as him without any facts or knowledge. I play with an older Meucci, I don't recommend the next guy buy one unless it fits HIS personal style and stroke. Same would go for a McD. It depends on 'your' game.

PS if you can't make an educated decision on feel, hit, etc on your own yet. Keep figuring out 'your' game. You may ask questions about pros/cons of joints, ferrules, tips, etc. But no one here, or at your PH can give tell you what to choose / what not to choose, they can only share their experiences.

For your stick purchase/choice. It's not that hard, go check out some cues, hit some balls, and make a decision on your own with the money you can afford to spend. We can't tell you what will work for your game/stroke, and either can your 2 cent paid instructors. It's your preference.

Thanks for you help! I will have to go to a place and try them out. The problem is I need to find a place that sells them close to my town. That will be my next project. My instructors know a lot of stuff, so I guess I look up to them in a way that I would want to impress them buy following their instructions, that shows respect. I need to get pass that so I can make my own educated decisions.

BTW. Ive become very interested in trying these wood to wood joints. They seem like they would play very nicely.

 

[manwon]

I was talking to my pool instructor the other day (who is very good at billiards), and I asked him what he thought about Mcdermott cues. He said that he hated them and that they hit no better than a peice of 2x4. I was suprised and disapointed becuase I was going to purchase one of their $150 cues.

So my question is: Do they really "hit" like crap? Or is it just his personal opinion? Please let me know because I want one.

BTW: He was using a $500 Meucci Cue at the moment and he said that he liked those the best. (Figuring he has tried hundreds of cues!)

Thanks

8-Ball Player

How can you take the guy seriously if he plays with a Meucci!!!!!!

 

[tpdtom]

I just read all the posts in this thread and I feel that I have to comment. I quit pool for 25 years. Prior to that I was a real student of the game. My playing cue was a Josswest and my sneaky is a Meucci. Both were made circa 1979. I had a lot to learn when I came back recently. Let me rephrase that. I STILL have a lot to learn.

I sent my Josswest back to Bill Stroud to be refinished. In the meantime, I bought a McDermott and a Lucasi to try out. Both have Uni Lock radial pins, stainless to wood. The hit is very similar. I'm told that they should never loosen but regardless, the McDermott is made in the USA and is guaranteed FOR LIFE, INCLUDING REPAIRS AND SHAFT MAINTENANCE ! They resell very well, either in a pool room or on Ebay. How can you go wrong ? I like the Lucasi also but it's made in China and doesn't have the same guarantee.

The subject of "HIT" is so complicated, with so many variables, that a small book could be written on the subject. Many posters here have already said that it's subjective, and it surely is. One man's pleasure is another man's pain. For me, the hit of the McDermott is a medium hit. VERY solid, and some "FEEL" or feedback is transmitted to the shooter. This seems to be the same in a $200 cue or a higher end model from their line. They are very different from the stainless 5/16" X 14 pin of my Josswest which screws into a brass piloted female receptacle. That is a hard hit, as is an ivory joint. Nevertheless, I like the McDermott. It so happens that the cue is a 58", and I'm used to a 59", and it's a 19 oz, and I'm used to a 20", but I STILL like it very much. The fact that it's made in the USA and guaranteed for life, if you buy it from a McDermott dealer, is worth a ton IMHO !

The next big issue is squirt, or cue ball deflection. The shaft thickness, material, tip, and type of cloth all contribute to "squirt" , or the lack of it. Meucci claims that their black dot shaft has solved the problem, but the jury's still out I think. I'd go with the McDermott for a first cue. Later you can buy a more expensive cue, or a Predator shaft, but I'd get some hours logged first, and some experience.

As a final thought. Bill Stroud of Josswest fame is a legendary cuemaker. He designed the Universal Smart Shaft, and established the quality control in China for Lucasi. He told me that most of his own cues are going into collections, and that a player who plays on Simonis cloth NEEDS a Predator type shaft. He recommends 12.75 MM tip. Deflection is a killer on Simonis cloth, as are the rails when english is used. With a Predator shaft, after 15 mins a real player can forget all about compensating for squirt and just pound the balls in as needed with moderate english. I'm not advocating hard shooting here but rather making a point. In any event, Billy (a world class one-pocket player), said that the butt of a cue is not that critical to great performance. Find the hit you like, and the type of joint, but get a medium laminated tip, like a Moori medium, and probably a Predator shaft later, and Play and Play and Play . Hope this helps...Tom

 

[8-Ball Player]

I just read all the posts in this thread and I feel that I have to comment. I quit pool for 25 years. Prior to that I was a real student of the game. My playing cue was a Josswest and my sneaky is a Meucci. Both were made circa 1979. I had a lot to learn when I came back recently. Let me rephrase that. I STILL have a lot to learn.

I sent my Josswest back to Bill Stroud to be refinished. In the meantime, I bought a McDermott and a Lucasi to try out. Both have Uni Lock radial pins, stainless to wood. The hit is very similar. I'm told that they should never loosen but regardless, the McDermott is made in the USA and is guaranteed FOR LIFE, INCLUDING REPAIRS AND SHAFT MAINTENANCE ! They resell very well, either in a pool room or on Ebay. How can you go wrong ? I like the Lucasi also but it's made in China and doesn't have the same guarantee.

The subject of "HIT" is so complicated, with so many variables, that a small book could be written on the subject. Many posters here have already said that it's subjective, and it surely is. One man's pleasure is another man's pain. For me, the hit of the McDermott is a medium hit. VERY solid, and some "FEEL" or feedback is transmitted to the shooter. This seems to be the same in a $200 cue or a higher end model from their line. They are very different from the stainless 5/16" X 14 pin of my Josswest which screws into a brass piloted female receptacle. That is a hard hit, as is an ivory joint. Nevertheless, I like the McDermott. It so happens that the cue is a 58", and I'm used to a 59", and it's a 19 oz, and I'm used to a 20", but I STILL like it very much. The fact that it's made in the USA and guaranteed for life, if you buy it from a McDermott dealer, is worth a ton IMHO !

The next big issue is squirt, or cue ball deflection. The shaft thickness, material, tip, and type of cloth all contribute to "squirt" , or the lack of it. Meucci claims that their black dot shaft has solved the problem, but the jury's still out I think. I'd go with the McDermott for a first cue. Later you can buy a more expensive cue, or a Predator shaft, but I'd get some hours logged first, and some experience.

As a final thought. Bill Stroud of Josswest fame is a legendary cuemaker. He designed the Universal Smart Shaft, and established the quality control in China for Lucasi. He told me that most of his own cues are going into collections, and that a player who plays on Simonis cloth NEEDS a Predator type shaft. He recommends 12.75 MM tip. Deflection is a killer on Simonis cloth, as are the rails when english is used. With a Predator shaft, after 15 mins a real player can forget all about compensating for squirt and just pound the balls in as needed with moderate english. I'm not advocating hard shooting here but rather making a point. In any event, Billy (a world class one-pocket player), said that the butt of a cue is not that critical to great performance. Find the hit you like, and the type of joint, but get a medium laminated tip, like a Moori medium, and probably a Predator shaft later, and Play and Play and Play . Hope this helps...Tom

Wow, thanks for your help. Yes, I will prob. get the Mcdermott, and If I do get a new cue later, it will no doubt be a predator. Thanks for your contribution, its great to receive help from you guys.

 

[despotic931]

Wow, thanks for your help. Yes, I will prob. get the Mcdermott, and If I do get a new cue later, it will no doubt be a predator. Thanks for your contribution, its great to receive help from you guys.

I play with a Predator and my brother plays with a Mcdermott, I personally feel that the hits are on very different ends of the spectrum. (My Predator has a Uniloc quick release wood to wood joint, and my brothers Mcdermott has a 3/8x10 pin with a wood to wood joint) It took me about a month to get adjusted to my Predator (previously played with a Viking), but now I love my cue!

 

[$moneyshooter$]

i have a 240$ mcdermott cue,and it hits great IMO,very nice solid hits,i suggest you go ahead and purchase the mcdermott.

 

[rlw]

just my 2cents worth, the worst playing cue I've ever owned was a McDermott.

 

[poolplayer2093]

Thanks for you help! I will have to go to a place and try them out. The problem is I need to find a place that sells them close to my town. That will be my next project. My instructors know a lot of stuff, so I guess I look up to them in a way that I would want to impress them buy following their instructions, that shows respect. I need to get pass that so I can make my own educated decisions.

BTW. Ive become very interested in trying these wood to wood joints. They seem like they would play very nicely.

i've seen a guy that would do that banking the 8 or 9 three rails when playing for fun. ive also seen the same guy choke on the 8 or 9 for the cheese. i'm not saying i don't respect other people's games, i'm saying i spend most of my time working on mine. i don't look up to anyone i used to but it ended up making me nervous when i played against them. focus on your game don't worry about theirs. How long have you been playing?

 

[Black-Balled]

Try the McD. If you like it, buy it and play with it. If you don't like it, don't buy it. This is another of my opinions.

What he said...

Some folks like it and some don't...that's why they make Almond Joy and Mounds!

If you like it and it fits your needs, get it! A cue that feels right can feel like an extension of you, as opposed to a tool...

 

[MRLUCKY7]

Just his personal bias!

I was talking to my pool instructor the other day (who is very good at billiards), and I asked him what he thought about Mcdermott cues. He said that he hated them and that they hit no better than a peice of 2x4. I was suprised and disapointed becuase I was going to purchase one of their $150 cues.

So my question is: Do they really "hit" like crap? Or is it just his personal opinion? Please let me know because I want one.

BTW: He was using a $500 Meucci Cue at the moment and he said that he liked those the best. (Figuring he has tried hundreds of cues!)

Thanks

8-Ball Player

his bias for sure I own 14 Cues from Samsara and Jacoby to Palmer ! I love my 2 McDermotts and play predominantly with my Knight McDermott with an I-2 Shaft and a Jacoby Custom!!!!

 

[tom haney]

I was talking to my pool instructor the other day (who is very good at billiards), and I asked him what he thought about Mcdermott cues. He said that he hated them and that they hit no better than a peice of 2x4. I was suprised and disapointed becuase I was going to purchase one of their $150 cues.

So my question is: Do they really "hit" like crap? Or is it just his personal opinion? Please let me know because I want one.

BTW: He was using a $500 Meucci Cue at the moment and he said that he liked those the best. (Figuring he has tried hundreds of cues!)

Thanks

8-Ball Player

I think there's a wide discrepency in their cues.
I had one in the $125-150 range and it was
possibly the worse hitting cue I've ever had.
I've got a "Sierra". Retails for around $500 & I
got it for around $300. Very nice hitting cue.
A little stiff for my liking but I still enjoy playing
with it.
Anybody else notice a big gap in the quality
of McDermotts?

 

[poolplayer2093]

I think there's a wide discrepency in their cues.
I had one in the $125-150 range and it was
possibly the worse hitting cue I've ever had.
I've got a "Sierra". Retails for around $500 & I
got it for around $300. Very nice hitting cue.
A little stiff for my liking but I still enjoy playing
with it.
Anybody else notice a big gap in the quality
of McDermotts?

That sierra cue you've got is that made by eric nimerra? i haven't noticed a drop i quality in mcdermotts

 

[Dead Crab]

If you want to know how McDermott cues relate the quality of wood and building process to cue price, go to this page:

http://www.mcdermottcue.com/XFeaturesCompare.asp

It would be nice if all manufacturers provided this type of info.

 

[tigerallenyim]

I was talking to my pool instructor the other day (who is very good at billiards), and I asked him what he thought about Mcdermott cues. He said that he hated them and that they hit no better than a peice of 2x4. I was suprised and disapointed becuase I was going to purchase one of their $150 cues.

So my question is: Do they really "hit" like crap? Or is it just his personal opinion? Please let me know because I want one.

BTW: He was using a $500 Meucci Cue at the moment and he said that he liked those the best. (Figuring he has tried hundreds of cues!)

Thanks

8-Ball Player

I prefer to play with them now. Will I ever change.... more than likely, but not that soon. Which brings to the point that at HIS stage, he probably likes the ones he plays with. Unless he can definitively support his claim.

Been playing with mine for couple o years and love the feel and hit, compared to what I was playing with before, a Lucasi. Stratford before that, and then cuetec's before that.

If u feel strongly on getting one, then do so. I think I can say for many that it is a wise purchase.

My 2 cents.

 

[Aaron_S]

i buy a 200 dollar sneaky from a custom cue maker and skip the production

Agreed. If you want the best for your money, this is the way to go, IMO. If it were $300 or $400, then I might recommend looking into some higher-end prod. cues (Joss, Schon, etc) as well, but for $200 I'd get a sneaky. I've actually got about $500 total ($350 + $150) in my two sneaky petes and I wouldn't trade either one of them for any current $500 production cue.

What is it, though, with Meucci and McD owners? Every McD owner I've ever met absolutely hates Meucci's, and vice versa. I'm not prejudiced when it comes to the two; I have a strong dislike for both of them.

Good luck in your search!

Aaron

 

[tom haney]

That sierra cue you've got is that made by eric nimerra? i haven't noticed a drop i quality in mcdermotts

Different cue. This is a style of cue by McDermott
called the "Sierra." Unwrapped. Neat looking cue.
It's in their catalog. Has McDermott logo.

 

[8-Ball Player]

If you want to know how McDermott cues relate the quality of wood and building process to cue price, go to this page:

http://www.mcdermottcue.com/XFeaturesCompare.asp

It would be nice if all manufacturers provided this type of info.

Thanks for that info Dead Crab. The one cue that I wanted to buy is the "lowest" quality that McDermott's make. It says that the complexity is low, what does that mean?

 

[tpdtom]

Thanks for that info Dead Crab. The one cue that I wanted to buy is the "lowest" quality that McDermott's make. It says that the complexity is low, what does that mean?

In that case, the complexity refers to the variety of woods used in the inlays. For example, in some high end cues there may be maple, bacote, rosewood and ebony, or whatever. That doesn't even apply to a one wood sneaky type cue.

By the way, sneaky petes vary tremendously from custom cue makers. Unless you KNOW the quality of a particular makers cues, and the hit, and the feedback, I would STILL choose the McDermott based on their Lifetime Guarantee. If you go back to a small cuemaker saying that the stick warped in 2 or 3 years, he may tell you that it was due to something that you did, or even that it was just a sneaky. On the other hand, a good custom cuemaker might make you a real gem for a sneaky. Good luck...Tom