new guy here...need opinions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Craig T
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Craig T

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First, let me say this is a great site. Much great info with some very experienced and talented players. Thanks for having me.

I have been shooting pool for about 25 years. I'm 36 now. My dad bought a Gandy and I got quite good for a kid my age. We played on the table for about 10 to 13 years. Toward the later years it became more of a catch-all than a pool table. My dad sold the table and I would go to local pool halls and play. I still shoot pretty good, but am no expert by any means. I had been going to shoot every now and then but the bug has bitten me and all I want to do is play pool! I do not have a cue of my own and am very tired of playing with crappy house sticks. I know very little about high-end sticks and what I need to look out for when buying one. I have been trying to educate myself by going online and snooping around. I really like the Predator line but just don't know enough to commit to a purchase. I am the type of guy who is low-key and prefer not to make a scene, so the SPJU (Predator's sneaky-pete) is looking really good to me. I also like the look of the all black 3K1 without the wrap.
What do I need to look out for in a cue?
Is the Predator 314 shaft really as Predator makes it seem?
What kind of tip should I look for on a cue?

All tips, pointers, suggestions, opinions are welcomed.

Thanks in advance! Merry Christmas to everyone!
 
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Welcome to the board, Craig. You're definately in the right place if you want opinions about cues. :D

My advice would be before you buy, hit with as many different cues as possible. Check out your local pool halls and cue dealers so you can get a good sampling of what's out there.

Remember, opinions and browsing online are always good but the most important thing is finding out what feels right for you. And there's no substitute for hitting a few balls with a cue in person (also it never hurts to ask what kind of tip is on the cue you are trying out).

Also, try browsing through some of the older threads on this forum, if you haven't already. There are a lot of good discussions about cues, tips and other info that I'm sure you would find helpful.


HTH
 
Craig, GN or GNX? either way, one is destined to be a classic and the other all ready is. Like the color too, if you know what I mean.

Oh, sorry, this is a pool site, right?

What Penguin said. No suggestion you will get will be any better. Shoot with as many as you can. Get something you know you like and feel comfortable with. Then buy it. What I like, you might not.
 
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sit back and watch,,,,,,,,you will find pleanty of pointers and possibly a few will point the correct direction
as far as high end cues, a szamboti is trough to beat. it takes forever you to get, but in that time youll be able to save the small fortune it takes to get one,,,,,,,and ive yet to see anyone lose money on one,,,,,,,,,,,,,,btw barry makes a fine cue and is a great guy
 
Look not everone can b wrong paly wit a as many cues tha u can but if u r looking at the 314 u should find one and hit some ball with one .Also what part of NC do u live .I know some people u can help u out by testing some cues...
 
hemicudas said:
Craig, GN or GNX? either way, one is destined to be a classic and the other all ready is. Like the color too, if you know what I mean.
Click to expand...
It's a GN and my number one hobby. I'm a G-force junky!

Deadstroke - I'm from the High Point area. Where's a good place to go see some cues? I was thinking of going to Game World in Raleigh to have a look around. I've been to a couple places in Greensboro and no one has much to look at. Saunier-Willheim in G'boro was pushing the Huegler pretty hard. Said the Predator was imported junk:confused:

I'm leaning very heavily to the SPJU
 
Welcome to the board Craig! I believe we have at least a couple of cue makers on this board and several distributors. I think the advice already given is excellent. I would only add that you might want to find out where the pool action is in your area and hang out there. I'm sure you'll hear a lot about different cues there. You might even learn that there's an excellent cue maker in your area and is not known elsewhere. You might find a great cue that way. It's really nice to have your cue customized to provide the things you like, e.g., leather wrap/linen/no wrap, length of cue, types of wood used, etc.

Good luck!
 
if the predator is what you're leaningtowards, i wouldn't change a thing on it. the shaft was created to eleviate deflection,,,this includes the tip they use.
 
If you want to find a cuemaker near your area in NC, I noticed www.easypooltutor.com has this big database of cuemakers from all over. You might want to check that out. As for your cue, you may consider getting a custom butt and having a predator 314 put on.
 
The billiard gallery in kernersville has a good selection of production cues. There is a custom cuemaker from high point named buckholtz and one in Asheboro named Stouton, although I don't know if he's making cues anymore. There is one in Winston Salem who I don't believe is very well known...some of his work was on display at creekside billiards on peters creek parkway. The guys at Cue N spirits in winston salem should be able to help u out also. Where do u play in High point
 
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