You could just email schmelke, and they'd have it delivered to your door for very little. I'd say they are both about the same quality, and having owned multiple ones from both companies I'd take the schmelke for how it plays.
Need Guidance for First Cue + Tip Purchase
- Thread starter JMASTERJ
- Start date
You could just email schmelke, and they'd have it delivered to your door for very little. I'd say they are both about the same quality, and having owned multiple ones from both companies I'd take the schmelke for how it plays.
Whats wrong with tips that are harder than soft? I dont think the hardness of the tip has anything to do with miscues or the ability to move the cue ball around. It seems like about the only thing tip hardness really affects besides ability to keep its shape is the feedback you get from your cue.
I disagree, but that's what makes the world turn.
I am 6'2" and my main playing cue is a 60" Schmelke custom made to my specs. I also have had a J&J jump break and you can't go wrong with that cue either. If you have Schmelke make you a cue, call and talk to Dave and he will lead you in the right direction. I would go with a .840 joint so any after market shaft will fit your butt and you can try different shafts. I also think that using a 3/8x10 pin is a good choice because it plays well and is a very popular size.
These are the cues in my case. They are all Schmelke except the McDermott Stinger jump handle and everything is 3/8x10. I like bacote btw!
These are the cues in my case. They are all Schmelke except the McDermott Stinger jump handle and everything is 3/8x10. I like bacote btw!
I would find a cue dealer and hit a bunch of balls with various cues...here in Dallas, Omega billiards will let you hit some balls with ANY cue they have in stock. Perhaps there is a place like that in your neck of the woods...if not you'll find 80 different cues in your local pool hall on a weekend, just ask a few folks if you can hit a ball or two with their sticks.
As for tips, it is a preference thing, but if you aren't really sure about using English, or your fundamentals are not solid, any mistakes you make may be magnified, if you are just starting out and buy a Mcdermott with a G-Core, they come with a Medium Tiger Everest, pretty good tip, but it will give you an idea of whether you want a Harder or softer one after you figure out your position game or get your fundamentals down.
As for gloves, I find that a lot of people have different factors in choosing whether or not to wear one, if you have naturally sweaty hands when you shoot, it might be an advantage...after all the predator gloves are like 11 bucks...not too big a price to pay if you want to find out.
Good luck in your search, hope you find all the equipment you need...and I hope you love this game for decades to come!
As for tips, it is a preference thing, but if you aren't really sure about using English, or your fundamentals are not solid, any mistakes you make may be magnified, if you are just starting out and buy a Mcdermott with a G-Core, they come with a Medium Tiger Everest, pretty good tip, but it will give you an idea of whether you want a Harder or softer one after you figure out your position game or get your fundamentals down.
As for gloves, I find that a lot of people have different factors in choosing whether or not to wear one, if you have naturally sweaty hands when you shoot, it might be an advantage...after all the predator gloves are like 11 bucks...not too big a price to pay if you want to find out.
Good luck in your search, hope you find all the equipment you need...and I hope you love this game for decades to come!
Whats the difference between this one and say the GS07... is it just the design or quality as well? (I just like the design of the 07 better)
https://www.seyberts.com/gs-series-cues/mcdermott-cue-gs07/
Since they are both in the GS series, the differences are purely stylistic. If you step to the G-Core series, then they come with the G-Core shaft which has some additional technology.
Take a look at the G222, G223, and G224 from the G-Core Series. These are similar but have exotic wood forearms and butts. For $50 more, essentially you get the choice of rosewood, cocobolo or bocote, plus some ringwork, and a G-Core shaft. That is the difference, and I am just using this as an example to help you navigate the choices. You also get your choice of wrap colors for no additional charge if you stick with linen, and you can navigate those choices on the right side of the page. Now that I see these discounted, this is probably where I would start if I was getting my first cue, just because I think the exotic woods are more attractive, and like the idea of the G-Core shaft.
PS. I am not a McDermott salesman, but I am Irish, and do own McDermott Cues (much older ones though). Lol.
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It's true that Schmelke and McDermott are not in the same class. Schmelke is actually a much better buy for the money. There are 100 individual steps to building every Schmelke cue...definitely does not happen at McDermott. McDermott is at least 2-3 times as expensive as Schmelke. Build quality is equal for either brand.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Totally agree, Scott. Bear in mind that the photos on the Schmelke web site are atrocious. Perhaps they photograph the cue before it's had it final gloss finish applied. Judging my Schmelke R040 cocobola as compared to my Schon R7 Cocobola, the general overall fit and finish are nearly identical. Not saying the cues are peers, but I simply cannot find a finish flaw in the Schmelke butt, linen wrap, or shaft smoothness.
I got their wood to wood joint, and if it's a sneaky you are looking for, the joint makes that Schmelke are real sleeper.
You can add some fun $20 options to make it your own custom cue. I.e joint collars, linen of any color, butt end rings, etc. I added the kitchen sink with a wrap and a Moori soft, and it came to $175 shipped to my door. Truly hard to beat, and you won't have to settle for what another company offers as far as design. Just sayin'. :shrug:
I usually hire people that can do an equal or better job in less steps. Why are more steps a sign of quality? I even qualified it as my opinion. Can you detail the McDermott steps and the Scmelke steps and let me know which steps all this extra quality comes from? If it does actually happen, I will certainly take it under advisement.
Ordered!
Thanks to all you guys for your advice, and I finally pulled the trigger. Props to McDermott, I think its a fine cue as well but I wanted to save a little more money right now and be "financially responsible" so I went with Schmelke, chat with David, he was very nice and answered all my questions, even sent me pics of what the cool acrylic custom color accents on the butt cap and joint would look like, and I bit.
My final specs:
http://schmelkecue.com/billiard-cues/schmelke-cues/schmelke-r-series/r020-4-prong-rosewood.html
Rosewood R020
So all that came to $137 shipped, 3 week manufacturing, another couple days priority mail.
I think I'm happy... I'll prob be a lot happier when I see it in my hand.
BTW I got the J&J break/jump cue from eBay for $75 shipped, already got that and used it... that phenolic tip is super hard, but not sure if it really helps in MPH... might invest in that break speed app to check for sure.
Thanks again guys! Maybe I'll post some photos of the stick when I get it. :smile:
Thanks to all you guys for your advice, and I finally pulled the trigger. Props to McDermott, I think its a fine cue as well but I wanted to save a little more money right now and be "financially responsible" so I went with Schmelke, chat with David, he was very nice and answered all my questions, even sent me pics of what the cool acrylic custom color accents on the butt cap and joint would look like, and I bit.
My final specs:
http://schmelkecue.com/billiard-cues/schmelke-cues/schmelke-r-series/r020-4-prong-rosewood.html
Rosewood R020
- 58" (I figured on a cheaper stick I an always add an extender if absolutely needed)
- 19oz (was really tempted for 20oz but whatever, I think you can add weight if really necessary right? I figured it'd be harder to subtract weight)
- 12.5mm (felt like I can work the ball a bit more with this than the stock 13mm)
- 3/8 pin (they said this provides a bit softer feel than their brass joint, and some of you said this is the more "standard" size)
- Ultraskin Soft tip (he said for a rec player, this would play similar to Kamui Black S and prob last me over a year or two since I dont even play more than once a week)
So all that came to $137 shipped, 3 week manufacturing, another couple days priority mail.
I think I'm happy... I'll prob be a lot happier when I see it in my hand.
BTW I got the J&J break/jump cue from eBay for $75 shipped, already got that and used it... that phenolic tip is super hard, but not sure if it really helps in MPH... might invest in that break speed app to check for sure.
Thanks again guys! Maybe I'll post some photos of the stick when I get it. :smile: