New cue purchase - it’s down to Schon, Joss, or Pechauer

angluse

angluse

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
After lots of reading here, I am getting close to a purchase. I’ve narrowed the field to Schon, Joss, and Pechauer. I know the hit will be very different from my Meucci, but I’m ready for a change. This weekend I will play a couple racks with a friend’s older Schon. Joss is attractive because they price a little lower. And Pechauer has that lifetime warranty, includes warpage. And Schon...well, folks just seem to love them.

Questions:

- Any problems with fitment of replacement shafts to Schon? Read something somewhere about “perfect match” of shaft to base as part of Schon mfg.

- Comments on Joss compared to Schon? Hit similar, given similar joint? I think I saw one down at my local hall, maybe I can befriend that guy, too. Consistency or quality concerns? Schon seems to have the consistency down (reading threads here) and Joss apparently has very good service.

- No Pechauers around here for me to play with - it'd take a long drive to a dealer (3 hours away). Any comments on hit (Pro series) compared to Schon, Joss? According to Pechauer, the JP series joint offers a softer hit than the Pro, so I hope to try them both.

I eliminated Mezz, because I had a harder time finding a design I liked. Besides that, the reviews here put them as a front-runner.

Thanks for any comments.
 
I like old R series Schons. They just don't make limited production cues that play like that these days. I have owned several and miss them all once they sell. Just good cues and a safe cue to put your money into. You also have plenty of choices in shafts as well.
 
I Think Schon Are Over-Rated

Let me state at the outset, I own a great, rare Schon cue custom made by Bob Runde.....1 of 1......and it hits great and it has been in my collection since 1985.

Over the intervening years, I've owned 6 cues made by Evan Clarke and as you can see from my signature, not one of those cues remained in my collection. And of the other 6 Schon cues I've owned, 2 of the 6 were brand new, different Schon tribute cues and the other 4 cues were Schon Ltd series cues. So as you can see, I've owned a variety of Schon cues so my comments are based upon extensive firsthand experience.

If it were my choice, I would definitely try a Joss cue and I'd spend the money and get a nice one too. Keep in mind that that Dan Janes taught Tim Scruggs and Bill Stroud their essential cue-making skills and both of those guys turned out to be pretty darn good cue-makers in their own right if I do say so. Dan is under-rated and like I said, get the best Joss cue you can afford.

Matt B.
 
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I've played with all three and I'd say pick the one that feels the best. Schon's hit great, some spectacular, but that goes with both joss and pechauer. For some reason, I've been impressed with pechauer's, to me they play like late 90's Schon's, as in real good. Down side is they are generally ugly, to me that is. I find Joss to be less consistent with their hit, with Schon's always playing good, IMHO.
 
Thanks for the replies. I played one rack yesterday with an older Schon (R2 with stitch ring), liked it. Today I'll play several more with a new-ish but spartan Joss.

Bavafongoul, you said

get the best Joss cue you can afford.
Click to expand...

You mean, for best resale value? Or, because there could be some difference in standard Production lines and those called Handmade or Custom?

Thanks again for your help.
 
Any Schon would be better that any Pechauer in my opinion.
Joss is OK, some of the shafts lack the feel I like, but I do not like Pechauer cues.
I've owned several vintages from all three companies, Schon being the best across the
board, Pechauer being the worst cues I've ever played with, and Joss somewhere in the middle.
 
Shame the OP eliminated Mezz as an option, the hit and feel is without question superior
to any other production outfit. Also forget resell value,, Only a dim and lying sales person
thinks a Schon brings $900 used..
 
I wouldn't buy any of them, instead I would buy a BD cue from Bob Danielson. You can get a custom for the same price you will spend on a Schon. You will not be disappointed!
 
I'm recently back to the game. I bought an inexpensive Joss and love it. I had the tip changed and the shaft turned down a bit. I think they are an excellent value. I love the hit of my Joss. Saying that a friend at the poolroom gave me a Joss shaft with a phenolic joint. I screwed it on to my Joss butt and couldn't believe how great that hit. Anyhow I paid just less than $350 for my Joss and feel it was money well spent.
 
burhead said:
I wouldn't buy any of them, instead I would buy a BD cue from Bob Danielson. You can get a custom for the same price you will spend on a Schon. You will not be disappointed!
Click to expand...

i'll second that . Bob Danielson his cues play superb and they are very affordable .
 
I've had 30+ production cues over the years and I have come to like Pechauers the best. A Pechauer is my current playing cue and after about 50 years of buying cues, I've stopped looking for any more. I think the hit on Schons is "too stiff." But cue selection is very subjective. I think you need to try as many as you can and pick the one that feels best to you. Good luck.
 
Logandgriff said:
I've had 30+ production cues over the years and I have come to like Pechauers the best. A Pechauer is my current playing cue and after about 50 years of buying cues, I've stopped looking for any more. I think the hit on Schons is "too stiff." But cue selection is very subjective. I think you need to try as many as you can and pick the one that feels best to you. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Max Eberle plays pretty sporty with his Pechauer..
 
Thanks for all the replies - there's such a wealth of information on this board. More than enough to confuse anybody.
After hitting with that older Schon, and a newer Joss with 314-2, both were very nice, but neither grabbed me. After playing with each, my Meucci MO 84-4 still felt better, like way better. Covered wrap? Joint? Shaft? Don't know. But I knew I hadn't found "the one." So in the meantime, I ordered an SS360 for the Meucci. Let's see if that helps shed some light on the direction I should be headed. And I needed a J/B too, so I found a used Gilbert on here, that should arrive Saturday. Now, that's enough Christmas presents for me, time to get busy shopping for the family!
Thanks again.
 
I was looking at the same cues, when I was deciding to buy my second cue. I read everything and spoke to my cuemaker friend, as well as the guys at cheapcues.com who are quite knowledgeable, friendly and can get any cue they want.

Unfortunately I was not able to hit with any of my choices in cues... so I can only speak from my diligence, reading, and conversations.

With respect to Joss.. I heard that the Joss West cues were the ones to get if you go Joss.

I decided to get a Schon, over the Pechauer (my second choice), because I saw a Ltd that I loved that was understated, simple, and elegant without points just a deep dark beautiful Cocobolo, a bit of ring work. and a cognac, alligator-looking leather, that they do not have pictured on their website. Paid around 850$ shipped. Schon only had one and I had to go though a sales rep who found it for me. I do not think Schon sales direct.

I decided I should try it out as it was intended and hit with it when it arrived. It was a very stiff hitting cue to me, and I was used to a Low Deflection, converted shaft on my previous playing cue.

So I decided to go upscale and try the best LD cue on the market. Ordered the Jacoby Edge Hybrid shaft, whihc is pricey... but the best pool purchase I ever made. I loved it immediately but did change the tip to a softer Ultra skin. Easily Sold my Schon shaft, so the difference was about 100$ to get the Edge.

I, as well as others here, would attest to hit with any cue that has an Edge shaft.... So I'd get what feels good and looks good to you.. and go with the Edge shaft. Other LD shafts have had delamination and glue issues but my edge has been great and easy to maintain or micro-grit/sand if needed.

I love the look of my Schon cue, and the Edge has increased my game significantly 30% by eliminating missed shots due to any cue squirt. Just easier to pocket everything. Period. NO QUESTION IN MY OPINION.
 
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I like the Pechauer to and since I bought it, I found it very good cue. I also like the Mcdermot to.
 
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