My new Starkey Cue

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
Silver Member
Chuck sent me a cue a few months ago for me to check out. I could not put the shaft and butt together! It was just too tight for me to join the pieces. I could get it screwed down to about an eighth inch from tight, and could go no further.

Naturally I didn't like this and called Chuck. He said no problem, send it back and he would loosen it up a little. Instead I took it to my local billiard supply, where they have a cue repair shop. They put some lubricant on it and got it screwed together for me. They worked it around a bit and got it to where I could do it myself. It's still super tight!

So then I played with it a little and went on here and said it was the closest to a one piece feel of any cue I had played with. And it is. Now that I have got back into playing a little, I tried it out again today. This is one very special cue stick! I really like it now, more than before.

I have over 30 cues in my collection, some from well known cuemakers. My favorite playing cues are my Josey (number one), then my Corsair and a Ned Morris. I have played with (and owned) cues from just about every noted cuemaker, and I will say this. The Starkey cue hits like no other cue I've ever owned! Period!

It is a unique hit that is clean and crisp and alarmingly accurate. Solid and powerful are other words I would use to describe the hit. Talk about low deflection, try zero deflection. The cue ball goes exactly where you aim it, every time. English applied does not deflect it's path. I do not know how to explain this other than to say you must hit a few balls with one of his cues, then you'll understand what I'm talking about. Especially if you're a pool player that can appreciate a good hitting cue.

I think what he has done in creating this new type of joint will eventually be as important an innovation as when Predator came out with their new shafts. I can't see it not catching on, and probably being copied. It just works too good.

I did not communicate with Chuck about this post and he does not know I'm posting it. I haven't even met the man. I have no deal with him other than I agreed to try the cue he sent me and let him know how I like it. I already did that. This is strictly a post to let those of you who search for a better playing cue be aware of this cue. It's a different hit then I've found anywhere else and I like it. I think it's worth it to try one out for yourself.

I guess if I had to define how it feels, I would say it is most like the hit of the best one piece cue I ever played with, with a better finsh and feel to it. I do not know if he is making cues with a wrap yet. Mine does not have a wrap. This was NOT a paid Ad! I don't even get a toaster. :)
 
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jay helfert said:
Chuck sent me a cue a few months ago for me to check out. I could not put the shaft and butt together! It was just too tight for me to join the pieces. I could get it screwed down to about an eighth inch from tight, and could go no further.

Naturally I didn't like this and called Chuck. He said no problem, send it back and he would loosen it up a little. Instead I took it to my local billiard supply, where they have a cue repair shop. They put some lubricant on it and got it screwed together for me. They worked it around a bit and got it to where I could do it myself. It's still super tight!

So then I played with it a little and went on here and said it was the closest to a one piece feel of any cue I had played with. And it is. Now that I have got back into playing a little, I tried it out again today. This is one very special cue stick! I really like it now, more than before.

I have over 30 cues in my collection, some from well known cuemakers. My favorite playing cues are my Josey (number one), then my Corsair and a Ned Morris. I have played with (and owned) cues from just about every noted cuemaker, and I will say this. The Starkey cue hits like no other cue I've ever owned! Period!

It is a unique hit that is clean and crisp and alarmingly accurate. Solid and powerful are other words I would use to describe the hit. Talk about low deflection, try zero deflection. The cue ball goes exactly where you aim it, every time. English applied does not deflect it's path. I do not know how to explain this other than to say you must hit a few balls with one of his cues, then you'll understand what I'm talking about. Especially if you're a pool player that can appreciate a good hitting cue.

I think what he has done in creating this new type of joint will eventually be as important an innovation as when Predator came out with their new shafts. I can't see it not catching on, and probably being copied. It just works too good.

I did not communicate with Chuck about this post and he does not know I'm posting it. I haven't even met the man. I have no deal with him other than I agreed to try the cue he sent me and let him know how I like it. I already did that. This is strictly a post to let those of you who search for a better playing cue be aware of this cue. It's a different hit then I've found anywhere else and I like it. I think it's worth it to try one out for yourself.

I guess if I had to define how it feels, I would say it is most like the hit of the best one piece cue I ever played with, with a better finsh and feel to it. I do not know if he is making cues with a wrap yet. Mine does not have a wrap. This was NOT a paid Ad! I don't even get a toaster. :)


You gotta post a pic of this beauty, Jay.
 
I had one for a while and I must say that it is one heck of a tight fit. Great feel to it,and the look was amazing!! It still has to be one of my favorite looking. I could not take it anywhere with out people asking me about it.
 
Anyone matching up with Jay should demand no Starkey Cues or banking allowed. Johnnyt
 
Southpaw said:
Dang Jay, new table, new cue.......hmmmmmmmmmmm

Southpaw

Get a new game James,
Get a new stroke bloke,

Go on the road toad,
Try not to go broke smoke,

Have a little fun son,
Play a little pool fool,

Get a new game James,
Write a good book snook.
 
hemicudas said:
You gotta post a pic of this beauty, Jay.

I tried without success to post photos on here. Too many KB's. If you want to see what it looks like, PM me your e-mail address and I will send you some photos. It's a good looking cue, but check out that joint pin. It's a monster!
 
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Jay was kind enough to send me these photos of his, KILLER, good looking new Starkey cue. WOW. You tell me how he got that curly maple to snake around like that???
 
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hemicudas said:
Jay was kind enough to send me these photos of his, KILLER, good looking new Starkey cue. WOW. You tell me how he got that curly maple to snake around like that???

That is a cool looking cue. Look at the size of the pin...I bet it does hit well. Thanks for putting it up. Johnnyt
 
That is wild and beautiful. I wonder if the A joint is also threaded wood? No wonder it hits like a solid 1 piece as with a super tight joint it is almost a 1 piece.
 
Every time I see one of these cues it just reminds me of an old cue I had. The first cue I ever owned was snooker cue I bought when I was about 16.

I scraped all the money I had together and went to the old Crystal Palace in Winnipeg. The owner at the time, whose name fails me right now and who has long since passed away, gave me a good deal on it. It had the same wooden pin and hit like a one piece as well. I always wanted to get a pool shaft made for it but never did.

The last time we moved I left it in the garage with my table while we moved everything else to the new place. Upon returning to move the table, etc. the cue was gone. It's not the cost of it, since it was inexpensive, but it was my first cue. Since the owner of the old pool hall is deseased and the place has been out of business for years, I have no way of finding out who made it way back then. So if anyone would have any idea of who made these cues, please PM me.

Sorry to hijack your thread Jay, BTW I love the design. Pehaps I'll just have to get me a Starkey cue someday. Maybe in about 20 years once our 3 month old is out of the house I will have more $$ to spend on cues. LOL
 
me too

I have one also and I LOVE it. Same big pin, not quite as hard to screw together but realllll tight. I do know the difference because I was lucky enough to have had two more, both had the GOTTOGOTOTHEGYM fit.
 
RascalDoc said:
I have one also and I LOVE it. Same big pin, not quite as hard to screw together but realllll tight. I do know the difference because I was lucky enough to have had two more, both had the GOTTOGOTOTHEGYM fit.
How long did the tightness last?
 
another pic of a starkey

Here's a pic of another starkey
 

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I wrote a review for Starkey a few days ago....

Dont forget that we now have a European/Millitary edition of the double refund cue...contact me to get on the list

Chuck startshis work at around 350 bucks, giving just about everybody the chance to own one.
 
dmgwalsh said:
and one more.


Jay,
If Deion Sanders played pool then that would be the cue he shot with. That thing is flashy man! I like it! I'm a big fan of flashy cues. In fact, if it doesn't have enough illegal ivory in it to put at least 3 people in jail then I won't shoot with it.
 
jay helfert said:
Chuck sent me a cue a few months ago for me to check out. I could not put the shaft and butt together! It was just too tight for me to join the pieces. I could get it screwed down to about an eighth inch from tight, and could go no further.

Naturally I didn't like this and called Chuck. He said no problem, send it back and he would loosen it up a little. Instead I took it to my local billiard supply, where they have a cue repair shop. They put some lubricant on it and got it screwed together for me. They worked it around a bit and got it to where I could do it myself. It's still super tight!

So then I played with it a little and went on here and said it was the closest to a one piece feel of any cue I had played with. And it is. Now that I have got back into playing a little, I tried it out again today. This is one very special cue stick! I really like it now, more than before.

I have over 30 cues in my collection, some from well known cuemakers. My favorite playing cues are my Josey (number one), then my Corsair and a Ned Morris. I have played with (and owned) cues from just about every noted cuemaker, and I will say this. The Starkey cue hits like no other cue I've ever owned! Period!

It is a unique hit that is clean and crisp and alarmingly accurate. Solid and powerful are other words I would use to describe the hit. Talk about low deflection, try zero deflection. The cue ball goes exactly where you aim it, every time. English applied does not deflect it's path. I do not know how to explain this other than to say you must hit a few balls with one of his cues, then you'll understand what I'm talking about. Especially if you're a pool player that can appreciate a good hitting cue.

I think what he has done in creating this new type of joint will eventually be as important an innovation as when Predator came out with their new shafts. I can't see it not catching on, and probably being copied. It just works too good.

I did not communicate with Chuck about this post and he does not know I'm posting it. I haven't even met the man. I have no deal with him other than I agreed to try the cue he sent me and let him know how I like it. I already did that. This is strictly a post to let those of you who search for a better playing cue be aware of this cue. It's a different hit then I've found anywhere else and I like it. I think it's worth it to try one out for yourself.

I guess if I had to define how it feels, I would say it is most like the hit of the best one piece cue I ever played with, with a better finsh and feel to it. I do not know if he is making cues with a wrap yet. Mine does not have a wrap. This was NOT a paid Ad! I don't even get a toaster. :)

I just wanted to bump up this thread instead of starting a new one. You said it better than I'm able to. I just got a new Starkey. This is an amazing cue. PERFECT fit/finish with a beautiful butterfly design. Playability, hit, and feel are awesome. The lowest squirt imaginable. Chuck Starkey's cues are for real. There's no doubt in my mind that as more of his cues get in the hands of players, they will be in great demand. With his current pricing his cues are a steal.
 
jay helfert said:
Chuck sent me a cue a few months ago for me to check out. I could not put the shaft and butt together! It was just too tight for me to join the pieces. I could get it screwed down to about an eighth inch from tight, and could go no further.

Naturally I didn't like this and called Chuck. He said no problem, send it back and he would loosen it up a little. Instead I took it to my local billiard supply, where they have a cue repair shop. They put some lubricant on it and got it screwed together for me. They worked it around a bit and got it to where I could do it myself. It's still super tight!

So then I played with it a little and went on here and said it was the closest to a one piece feel of any cue I had played with. And it is. Now that I have got back into playing a little, I tried it out again today. This is one very special cue stick! I really like it now, more than before.

I have over 30 cues in my collection, some from well known cuemakers. My favorite playing cues are my Josey (number one), then my Corsair and a Ned Morris. I have played with (and owned) cues from just about every noted cuemaker, and I will say this. The Starkey cue hits like no other cue I've ever owned! Period!

It is a unique hit that is clean and crisp and alarmingly accurate. Solid and powerful are other words I would use to describe the hit. Talk about low deflection, try zero deflection. The cue ball goes exactly where you aim it, every time. English applied does not deflect it's path. I do not know how to explain this other than to say you must hit a few balls with one of his cues, then you'll understand what I'm talking about. Especially if you're a pool player that can appreciate a good hitting cue.

I think what he has done in creating this new type of joint will eventually be as important an innovation as when Predator came out with their new shafts. I can't see it not catching on, and probably being copied. It just works too good.

I did not communicate with Chuck about this post and he does not know I'm posting it. I haven't even met the man. I have no deal with him other than I agreed to try the cue he sent me and let him know how I like it. I already did that. This is strictly a post to let those of you who search for a better playing cue be aware of this cue. It's a different hit then I've found anywhere else and I like it. I think it's worth it to try one out for yourself.

I guess if I had to define how it feels, I would say it is most like the hit of the best one piece cue I ever played with, with a better finsh and feel to it. I do not know if he is making cues with a wrap yet. Mine does not have a wrap. This was NOT a paid Ad! I don't even get a toaster. :)

I think it's that humongous, tight wood pin that gives it that good one piece feel. Nice Cue!
 
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