McDermott M81A vs Players HXT30

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slaya786

Registered
Hey guys, this is my second thread, and I do apologize if I am offending anyone by creating a new thread rather than continuing on my old one.

I've narrowed down my hunt for a cue on my tight budget of upto 100$.

I traveled around to local pool halls, and managed to find many used but in good shape cues. Of the many, the one which stood out was the McDermott M81A. After researching this cue, it is apparently a 2008/2009 model cue.

On the other hand, the trusty Players HXT30 would be the other option.

I assume the HXT would have better technology because of it's low deflection shaft. But, I also realize that McDermott is regarded as a much better brand..

So, of the two which would be the better stick for me to purchase?

Thanks guys.
 
The McDermott is a discontinued model. If it's in good condition and your getting it at a good price, I would buy the McDermott. For the very long term it will appreciate better than any Players cue ever will. And you can as your finances allow obtain either a G-Core or Intimidator shaft from McDermott to give you a quality LD shaft.
 
Hrm.. I agree, I can see how the McDermott would be a better in terms of price value.

In terms of playability though, which would probably be the better cue?

The Players offers a LD Shaft, implex joint, and a Kamui Black Medium Tip..

While the McDermott offers a regular(?) shaft, wood to wood joint, and a Triangle, medium hard tip.

The McDermott cue is in mint condition.

I'm not sure what else one looks for in a pool cue, but I just wannt to make the right decision :o
 
DavidMNienow said:
The McDermott is a discontinued model. If it's in good condition and your getting it at a good price, I would buy the McDermott. For the very long term it will appreciate better than any Players cue ever will. And you can as your finances allow obtain either a G-Core or Intimidator shaft from McDermott to give you a quality LD shaft.
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I agree the McDermott is "upgradeable" like a PC with far more options and McDermott has a great reputation in its service department, I am sure the players is a fine cue and a great value but you have to look at the long term; that is where the McD blows it away.
 
players cues

Sent a players cue in 6 or 7 years ago for warranty.
Warranty dept must be busy , I am still waiting.


I hope someone from players reads this.........................................

MMike
 
One question. I play at my university's game room where we bring our own balls/sticks ect. Me, and my buddies are all amatures. I would only bring one cue with me, not seperate break cues/ect.. So, whatever stick I purchase would be used all around. Would the wood joint hold up to breaking? especially compared to an implex joint? Note that we aren't breaking at any ridiculous speeds here either, lol.

thanks
 
You should not worry about the McDermott wood to wood joint. They will stand up to the test of time quite easily and can handle any break you apply to the cue. I play with a McDermott Dubliner that I have played for the last 5 years just for my 9 ball play. After 5 years and thousands of 9 ball games the cue and joint still are perfectly fine.

And no matter what cue you get you are still going to want to experiment with many different tips on your shaft. Tips are meant to be replaced, and you might as well take the opportunity to test tips when you have to replace them. Tips have more impact how a cue feels than just about any other aspect of cue construction. So experiment til you find a tip that give you a good feel, a greater sense of control, than any other tip you have tried. Then stick with that tip.
 
Thats re-assuring to hear.

All signs are pointing to the McDermott right now. For some odd reason, my gut is just telling me to go with the Players cue, lol. Maybe because it's the cue I narrowed myself down to for the past week, and then just today had a new option. haha..

Man oh man i'm so undecided.
 
With your budget Id suggest the Players cue hands down. You get a LD shaft and a Kamui tip all for $100.
 
Yes for the 2 reasons I gave: Kamui tip and LD shaft. Personally I am not a fan of any McDermott products but thats just me.:thumbup:
 
Questions like these are impossible to answer. It all depends on how you play. If you're used to playing with shafts that deflect, the McDermott is the clear choice. If you think you'll struggle when using English, the Players may be better for you. But even then it's not that simple, and a lot depends on your style of play.

The McDermott is likely to be a lot more robust - they're pretty indestructible.
 
Tips are very subjective. Perhaps you may not like the Kamui tip. Have you played with one? I think the McDermott is a better cue. As someone suggested, you should try different tips to find the one that gives you that "great hit".
 
FWIW, I have a Players HXT shaft that I use at home on a Jacoby butt and although it seems to be well-made and hits decent, I do not find the low-deflection properties to be very pronounced.

I would also prefer the McDermott 3/8x10 pin.

Just my opinions/observations.

Maniac
 
Maniac said:
FWIW, I have a Players HXT shaft that I use at home on a Jacoby butt and although it seems to be well-made and hits decent, I do not find the low-deflection properties to be very pronounced.

I would also prefer the McDermott 3/8x10 pin.

Just my opinions/observations.

Maniac
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It's not close to where the new LD shafts are from OB and Predator, unless you have the skinny shaft. I got a custom 12.5mm diameter on my HXT and I do need to aim fuller than with my regular shafts.

I'd go with the McD for the price, you can get a LD shaft or it later, a HXT shaft even with the Kamui Soft for about $80. That MCD points are overlays though, not real points, but it's a nice stick. Was probably $200 in the store when new, maybe a bit more, based on it's retail price. So $100 in good shape is a good price for it.
 
Maniac said:
FWIW, I have a Players HXT shaft that I use at home on a Jacoby butt and although it seems to be well-made and hits decent, I do not find the low-deflection properties to be very pronounced.

I would also prefer the McDermott 3/8x10 pin.

Just my opinions/observations.

Maniac
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I fail to see the point of LD shafts that still deflect.
 
They call them LD (as opposed to ND) for a reason.

Slaya, may I ask what kind of cue you play with currently and what do you like/dislike about it?

gr. Dave
 
Double-Dave said:
They call them LD (as opposed to ND) for a reason.
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True enough, but I've had some LD shafts that deflect more than the original shaft. I think there should be an official grading system for LD shafts, because the term is used as a catch-all, with nobody really able to tell what's very LD (like a Predator), and what's not.
 
slaya786 said:
One question. I play at my university's game room where we bring our own balls/sticks ect. Me, and my buddies are all amatures. I would only bring one cue with me, not seperate break cues/ect.. So, whatever stick I purchase would be used all around. Would the wood joint hold up to breaking? especially compared to an implex joint? Note that we aren't breaking at any ridiculous speeds here either, lol.

thanks
Click to expand...

mcdermott has been around for 40 years or so, they wouldn't be here today if they didn't hold up very well. i don't know how long players been around, but i am fairly certain it hasn't been 40 years. can't go wrong with a mcdermott for around a c-note.
 
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