Need cue suggestion

R

Ruark

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm almost embarrassed to ask such a fundamental question as this, but coming back into pool after a 30+ year layoff from playing and seeing the gazillion cues on the market, I really could use a pointer.

Having only re-started playing a month ago, I'm really not ready yet to spend $$$ on an expensive cue. Still, I need something a step above the El Cheapo cues that came with my table's "accessory kit." The place where I shop for pool stuff has probably 1,000 cues on display - all the name brands, and then some. It's overwhelming.

I've read about many formerly reliable names now producing inferior-quality, Chinese-made cues, especially at the lower end of their price range. Of course, "Chinese-made" doesn't ALWAYS mean junk.

Can anybody suggest some cues in the $75-$175 price range I can look at?

Thanks,
Ruark
 
Check out Mcdermott or Viking. They make a pretty good cue for the money. Good Luck with your hunt.
Jeff
 
I'm a Viking fan on the low end stuff......in the for sale forum, you can sometimes find some great deals right at $175, which is in your ballpark....

welcome back to the game
 
I'd just keep an eye on the For Sale Forums and grab a custom sneaky that pops up for 200. I recently bought a Leon sly for a couple of hundred and love it.
 
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I was in a similar spot about a year ago, except I only took 10 years off, lol. I got many many good pointers here, but in the end, I decided to go with a Schon. Of course I ended up buying several cues, then sold some, bought some more, then sold some more, lol, it never ends, lol. If I were you, Id go to that store with a thousand cues and test hit as many as they will allow. I would suggest an American made cue like Viking, McDermott, Joss, Schon, Schmelke, Pechauer, or one of the many others. You can get a great playing cue for 175 from some of these, but on the other hand, you can get a great playing used cue in the for sale section on here also. Good luck with your search.


Joe
 
FURY or LUCASI very good sticks for the money!

Also the Nick Varner Cues are price below $100 and hit very well. However, the designs are not inlays if that matters to you.
 
,

I got a new Viking I'll sell you around that price range. It's brand new F93, I've only played a few racks with it. PM me if interested.:)

ps take care of that table:cool:
 
You can get a brand new Mizerak cue at Sears for next to nothing. It also comes with the Craftsman warranty.
 
First off, welcome back to the cueing arts! :wink:

As you will probably make another stick change in the next couple of years, I agree not spending a lot of money. Given that, I would go with McD, Viking, Pechauer, etc. These are American companies. I believe all of Pechauer cues are made here, but the lower end McD's and maybe Vikings are produced overseas. Even so, they are warrantied for life against defects AND warping by an American company.

Since you will be buying from a brick and mortar retailer, you have the chance to touchy-feely before you buy, so you should get at least some indication if you like the cue.

If you are only planning on spending a couple of hundred then as long as it's straight and you like the balance and weight you should be OK. Do some research on here about tip choice and have a good tip put on the cue.

When you do upgrade you will then still have a decent "house" cue for guests or as a spare. I play with a custom cue but also have a sub-$200 McD for traveling. I don't worry about leaving it in the trunk of my car or a hotel room all day. And it won't be the end of the world if the airline should lose it.

Buying used is also not a bad option. Who cares about a couple of nicks in a lower end, used production cue, especially when it's your first cue coming back in? Advantages are that you will save a few bucks and can find one that already has a premium tip on it, saving you even more money.
 
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I appreciate the offers and the advice to look in the For Sale section, but I really have to try it out before buying it. No problem in the store - they have tables right there by the cue display; you can spend all day trying out cues. I was just wondering if somebody could suggest any specific model to check out.

Thanks a heap,
Ruark
 
Ruark, Not to kill anybody's action, but I have a viking butt with no shaft, not in the greatest shape a few dings. But rolls straight, weigh's 16 0z. Add a quality shaft, and your in business. You pay shipping and send a donation to IA8baller ,what ever amount you want. PM me if interested.........Charlie D. PS. Photobucket.com has 2 pics of the butt Search under dallasdetroit. I was gonna make a wind chime out of it and others. Please let me know by 5:00pm EST tomorrow, There's a 11 year old in Indiana that needs of a cue.
 
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RunOutRodney said:
FURY or LUCASI very good sticks for the money!

Also the Nick Varner Cues are price below $100 and hit very well. However, the designs are not inlays if that matters to you.
Click to expand...

They hit well, they just dont last, lol. A guy here got one and was happy as hell until it fell apart a few weeks later, lol.


Joe
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
the lower end McD's and maybe Vikings are produced overseas.
Click to expand...

Actually all Vikings are made in the USA, and all real McDermotts are made in the USA. Its the cheap-ass Star and Lucky series by McD that are made in China, but they dont say McDermott on them, just use the same buttcap.


Joe
 
Ruark said:
I appreciate the offers and the advice to look in the For Sale section, but I really have to try it out before buying it. No problem in the store - they have tables right there by the cue display; you can spend all day trying out cues. I was just wondering if somebody could suggest any specific model to check out.

Thanks a heap,
Ruark
Click to expand...

Take a look at the Viking GO-1 thru GO-5 series. They are all in your price range, and like all Viking cues are made in the USA and have a lifetime warrantee.

I use a Viking GO-5 for when I play in the local bars and on league nights. I'm satisified with the look, construction, feel and hit of this cue.

Here's a link to Seybert's, you can see the different models and get plenty of info there.
http://www.seyberts.com/catalog/Viking_Cue_G01_08-280-1.html
 
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i have a 4 point predator speakypete with ss joint in good shape. if you interested i would like 225 shipped. i can take some picks if you like. i will throw in a 2 x 4 case with it. nothin fancy but an extra i have around.
 
snipershot said:
Actually all Vikings are made in the USA, and all real McDermotts are made in the USA. Its the cheap-ass Star and Lucky series by McD that are made in China, but they dont say McDermott on them, just use the same buttcap.


Joe
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If you say so Joe. :thumbup2: I knew about the Star and Lucky series but I thought some of the lower end McD's were also made overseas, the difference being that if it said McDermott on it (rather than Star for example) then it had a lifetime warranty regardless of where it was made. Guess not.
 
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