Hi Matthias,
1.) if we re talking about diameter/radius on shafts, there usualy we speak about a range from 11,75mm to 13 mm. If you re using a smaller tip some ppl say, that it s easier for them to aim. In my opinion this point you can just test on your own. But it is right, that you can vary a bit more with english. (not more or less, you can vary more). On the other side it is imo also a bit harder to play with it, bc you have to very accurate (makes sense i hope
).
Further here we ll come into the popular discussion about Low-Deflection. the most so called *low-deflection* shafts are thinner. This is caused because the cuemaker here try to reduce end-masse to get lower deflection (can be reached with several ways-but this would go too far here). A very good cuemaker can also creat a very good non-laminated shaft just using good wood (old-growth), a good taper and a smaller ferrule. But let me end here- LD is a never-ending story
2.) If we come to talk about wood- well, that s very special. here you need usualy a ton of knowlede a great cuemaker can talk about, or a cue-a-holic who tested many many cues. some woods are extremly heavy (ebony for example) other not (birds-eye for example). Here you ll see later, what a cuemaker knows ^^. Usualy heavier woods are *cored*-means that they put a another kind of wood (a lighter one) and put it together to receive a better weight. Otherwise some cues would be to heavy.
3.) Joints. also for some ppl discussion sworth. there are wood-to-wood, piloted joints etc. - Here is also just your personal feeling asked. What do you prefer, what feels best for you-or just what looks better
4.) Price: Uhm- endless ...llike you ve seen already. Imo (and i m very sure about it
) if you have a Sneaky Pete (without inlays etc) and done by a good cuemaker you ll get here the best for your money. I just think usualy in Euros-- but in Dollars i think from 250-450 Dollars you can get Sneaky Petes. And no cue which will be more expensive has a better playing-ability. Here you ll pay just for the *look*.
5.) Procuciont Cues vs Custom Cues
Choice of what u want for your money my friend. Meanwhile you can get very nice Custom Cues for a superb Price. Here you have the advantage that the cue will like you will have it. Weight, length, look etc. - but also Production Cues have great player abilities. For example Mezz is an absoltley high-quality cue- the range here is also from 250 Dollars to 3-4 thousand dollars.
But: Money doesn t win^^ it s always the Indian...not the arrow (like said so often by Scott-Lee, a very nice and true sentence)
Production-Cues with quality from my opinion:
Mezz, Schon, McDermott, Jacoby,Pechauer
Custom Cues.....you have so terrible many good _Cuemakers in the USA...would take too long
the AzB will help you out here-
I can highly recommend Bryan Mordt- her you ll get a ton and quality for your money. (but there are for sure several others).
Your question itself "difference 100-300" is difficult. 100 dollar is a bit low imo if you love pool
If you spent 300-500 $ you ll have a cue which usualy follow you a lifetime. The higher priced cues have often a better shaft-quality. And imo the shaft quality makes the music.
My personal advice for you- Try out some cue from McDermott for example you will really get a very good cue for your money- and the shafts are also really good (afaik they offer 3-4 different shafts).
Hope i helped you a bit- but the vocabulary often isn t available that i would choose in german....lol. I could write wide more about each point, so i hoped i let you know what you wanted to know. If not- you could post this question also in the Cuemaker Section or in the Main-Forum. You ll get 100 of responses
(some helpful, some nonsense, like always ^^)
lg from overseas,
Ingo
and now i have to go-- watching 1st division team league. Ortmann and Roschkowsky will play today
