new cue review time

[trustyrusty]

Ok, I think I've got enough racks in with her to give a review. If you didn't see my new Jacoby in the Gallery section; here's a link - http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=131052

First off I don't have the widest range of cue experience to compare to, but I have tried at least most of the major brands of production cues. My cue before this one was a McDermott (re-release type) cue that was new, but made with a d-series (sharp point) forearm. The Jacoby is a touch firmer feeling than the McD. The Jacoby has a thinwalled stainless piloted joint (5/16 x 14), but probably a similar taper to the McD...read: not as stiff feeling as a Schon or Joss, which I like. Those who like a stronger taper (shorter pro-taper, or conical) may not like the feel. I wouldn't describe it as SOFT, just FIRM, and not rebar-ish like a Joss I had before (it's taper was strong/short, and it was 13.25mm). I've had REALLY good luck with little touch shots like break-outs in barbox 8ball with it. It does what I want it to do without much effort at all, and I rarely overcook anything.

I was down to two cues when I found this one...a "prototype" Pechauer pro model that didn't make it into the production line, and another McDermott that had the stainless quick-release joint....both a little firmer than my previous cue. The hit with this Jacoby cue was pretty similar to the Pechauer that I was looking at, but this cue won out on looks (and the fact that I had to try a Jacoby after meeting the nice folks from there at the DCC). The Jacoby also may have a touch more feedback than the others metioned, and that's also something I didn't want to compromise by trying a piloted stainless joint. Being used to wood to wood bigger pins (3/8 x 10) with a pro-taper shaft, going to something like a Schon would have taken quite a bit longer to get used to (to me they seem to have less feedback).

The only other cue I've tried that I like the feedback a bit more on is a Diveney with a G10 pin. I will be getting one of those soon also. I'm not sure if I can improve on the playability of the Jacoby, but a guys gotta try...lol. For now, this cue fits the bill as my main player, and if the Diveney isn't significantly better, it'll probably stay in the #1 spot.

I know I've rambled on about something pretty subjective, so if you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask....

 

[IA8baller]

Thanks for the review.

I have also recently switched to a Jacoby D6 cue, and it has the thin walled stainless steel joint as well and I can agree with you about the feel of the hit not being so stiff and "clinky" as a schon or other similiarly constructed joint. I used to say I'd never play with a cue with a SS joint because I liked to feel/feedback of the wood/wood jointed cues but I find the Jacoby much closer to that "feel" than I thought possible with a SS joint, I suppose that is due to there being some wood/wood contact being there since the joint is so thin walled. I previously played with a custom Diveney with a radial pin and really liked the feel of the hit but I now have a cue that has a finish that seems flawless, unlike my Diveney where I could just ever so slightly feel some of the places where the inlays/points were joined at and I get absolutely none of that with the Jacoby even though it has much more inlays and wood joined areas in it.

I'd still recommend a Diveney but I sure am growing to love my Jacoby and I see a lot of Jacoby cues that have some awesome veneers/inlays/ringwork for the $$$ and if their fit/finish is as flawless as the cue that I have then I have to say Jacoby is producing some top notch cues where you sure get a lot of "bang" for your buck.

 

[trustyrusty]

thank you for pointing out something I forgot to comment on....the fit and finish of this cue is EXCELLENT! And, as far as value goes - if the same amount of work, inlays, and materials in this cue were put into a Schon, Joss, McDermott, etc... it WOULD cost much more.

I was also in the "no stainless joints for me" boat after trying a Joss a couple of years ago, but after demoing a Jacoby at the DCC I thought maybe I'd rethink that. I'm pretty certain that it was THEIR joint that made me want to give it a shot, and I'm glad I didn't just buy something else to TEST, and want to sell a month later.

thanks again for your comments IA