Need help choosing the cue: a Predator Sneaky Pete or a Joss at the same price point?

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Dongbeiren

From The Northeast
First I want to thank you all for looking at this thread, I'm new to this forum but have been playing pool for several years, now I feel like getting more serious about the game and think it's time to get a better cue.

I've been knowing the Predator brand for a long time, I use to think that it was the best cue on the market before I came to the United States, I believe even now this brand is still considered as the best brand in the world by most of the pool players back home, so I kinda want to get a Predator cue when I can afford one, not because other ppl's thought but merely because I've been wanting one for a long time :)

Predators are not cheap, I think I can only afford their cheapest cue: the Sneaky Pete (~$300), but to be honest, I don't really like the look of that cue; for the same price I found some JOSS and Viking cues that look really nice, so I'd like to hear some advices from you guys before I make any decisions, I'm also open to any other brands if they have good products in this price range.

Again, thank you all for viewing and I'm glad I found this forum :D
 
Have you looked in the for sale section???? theres usually a few inexpensive cues on there and have you thought about getting the joss and putting a predator shaft on it ? thats what i did with my RAT.
 
stouter2386 said:
Have you looked in the for sale section???? theres usually a few inexpensive cues on there and have you thought about getting the joss and putting a predator shaft on it ? thats what i did with my RAT.
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Thanks for the input, I have checked out the "for sale" section and to be honest, there are too many brands that I've not even heard of, so I don't know if they are good or not :o , more importantly, most of the cues are way over my budget :p

I didn't know that I could put a predator shaft on a joss butt, that's new to me~
 
My first great cue was the Predator SP with the green veneers and 314 shaft. I sold it and got a Joss and put a Predator Z2 shaft on it. I loved both of those cues and if I could get one of the two back, I would get my Joss back. The Predator felt a little big in the back end. They both hit great, just liked my Joss better. If you're worried about the looks of your cue, it might mess with your confidence while your shooting. When your on a budget, you have to sacrifice a little. Good luck and welcome to the worlds greatest pool forum. :thumbup: Ron
 
both good choice

Friend, try to stay with the 5/16 14 pin tread if you have a choice
This pin makes easier to add other shafts to either the predator-joss or any other popular brands, good ides is also the ss joint
Good luck
 
Dongbeiren said:
Predators are not cheap, I think I can only afford their cheapest cue: the Sneaky Pete (~$300), but to be honest, I don't really like the look of that cue;
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At this point, you have already made your decision not to get the Predator.
 
Choose a cue based on type shaft!

The "business end" of any cue is the shaft. If you want a performance shaft with low deflection (LD), get a cue that already has it. (it may cost a little more).
Joss makes a fine cue, but I don't think they make (or offer?) a LD shaft. Predator, OB Cues, Lucasi and other production cue makers also make their
own LD shafts. It's best to try different cues out with their LD shafts and those that don't have LD shafts to determine which hits and feels best for you.
F.Y.I.
 
Stay clear of Joss. They have no warranty, or as Danny James told me "The warranty ends when you chalk the cue."
 
Personally, I prefer the old (green veneer) Pred SPs to the newer (red veneer) models. Even though the originals had that annoying problem of chalk sticking to the ferrule, I think they play better, particularly with the original (small 314 logo) shaft. The 314 shafts with the cat logo are my second choice, still preferable to the 314-2.
That said, you can't go wrong with a Joss. One advantage is that Danny backs up his products and is very good with communication.
I currently play with a 1987 Joss custom with a 314 shaft and a Moori medium tip. I have three other shafts for my Joss: 314 w/Kamui hard, OB-1 w/Everest med, and the original Joss shaft w/LePro.
 
First let me welcome you to the best pool forum in the world! Here you will get more information than you ever needed to know about anything pool related or life in general.

I'm sort of partial to the Bob Frey sneaky's myself.

Either way, I definitely suggest finding somewhere where you're able to hit a few balls with whatever cues you're leaning towards.

A lot of people will swear by low deflection shafts and I own both a Predator and a McDermott with I shafts, but I have found nothing wrong with the original shafts that come with my cues. Once I change it to the diameter I like and put the tip on that I like. I'm good to go. The advantage of buying a cue like a Predator is that you automatically get a LD shaft with it.

Good luck with your search.
 
Not only that

but some Joss's have a 13.25 mm shaft thickness. Have you considered Lucasi, they have some pretty decent sticks for a decent price?
 
welcome...

Hello and welcome...

I have several Joss Cues and went through a Predator Z and Z2 shaft. It all boils down to what you like and how it feels to you.
I just received a custom cue with a 13mm shaft and honestly, get more action on the cue ball with that than my other shafts. Personally I prefer standard shafts over LD, based on the thickness and my difficulty adjusting to a thinner shaft. I have only tried Predator's aftermarket shafts though. I would consider an OB (Asian market version if possible, since thicker... 12.75 mm I believe??) As with you, I am limited on how much to spend on gear at the moment. I need a replacement shaft and a new case and can afford neither ATM. :embarrassed2:
I also am perfectly happy with my new cue/shaft, and have no reason to change.

I sent you a PM regarding the Predator Z and Z2 shafts. Maybe we can work something out.

Good luck with your choice.
Jeremy
 
Brozif said:
First let me welcome you to the best pool forum in the world! Here you will get more information than you ever needed to know about anything pool related or life in general.

I'm sort of partial to the Bob Frey sneaky's myself.

Either way, I definitely suggest finding somewhere where you're able to hit a few balls with whatever cues you're leaning towards.

A lot of people will swear by low deflection shafts and I own both a Predator and a McDermott with I shafts, but I have found nothing wrong with the original shafts that come with my cues. Once I change it to the diameter I like and put the tip on that I like. I'm good to go. The advantage of buying a cue like a Predator is that you automatically get a LD shaft with it.

Good luck with your search.
Click to expand...

I have Frey, and it's great. But good luck finding one for $300
 
Thank you very much for your kind replies and offers, I think I'll spend some time reading all the replies and learn all the new knowledge in them :)
 
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