Please Assist with Cue Purchase

Big Perm

Big Perm

1pkt 14.1 8 Banks 9 10
Silver Member
My previous cue was a Viking....bought it in late 80's for $75 when I was in high school....guy I bought it from had a pool hall that went out of business, also bought a table from him.....the cue had a snooker end, said he used it on a snooker table he had in the back....it was a Viking, probably 30+ years old now, the "Viking" part was inset near the butt, about 1/4 inch, and had a clear ring around the name....possible Ivory end on the butt, and the middle part was old school metal and screeched when I put the thing together :D .....it was old, it was ugly, but it was original (yeah, they probably made 10000 that year :D ) looking and it had personality....other guys newer cues all looked the same, sort of a spaceage plastic, and I just never liked the look....

Anyway, long story short, my stick disappeared a few years ago during separation/divorce (suprise huh), and haven't played since....well now, I wanna get started again, and I want another stick with personality....working the search button on here and checking out some for sale sites, cues with personality seem overly expensive, and I'm cheap :D ....I wouldn't mind buying used, but I don't wanna get taken as I know nothing about the market....if anyone knows of any sales, please post up or shoot me a PM (if ya have vendors on here)....I'm guessing I can't get much for $200???

Thanks in advance for any help....I like to support local stores, and I live in Jax, would drive to Orlando if anyone has recommendations, but I'm also open to online stuff too....

Jason
 
Big Perm said:
My previous cue was a Viking....bought it in late 80's for $75 when I was in high school....guy I bought it from had a pool hall that went out of business, also bought a table from him.....the cue had a snooker end, said he used it on a snooker table he had in the back....it was a Viking, probably 30+ years old now, the "Viking" part was inset near the butt, about 1/4 inch, and had a clear ring around the name....possible Ivory end on the butt, and the middle part was old school metal and screeched when I put the thing together :D .....it was old, it was ugly, but it was original (yeah, they probably made 10000 that year :D ) looking and it had personality....other guys newer cues all looked the same, sort of a spaceage plastic, and I just never liked the look....

Anyway, long story short, my stick disappeared a few years ago during separation/divorce (suprise huh), and haven't played since....well now, I wanna get started again, and I want another stick with personality....working the search button on here and checking out some for sale sites, cues with personality seem overly expensive, and I'm cheap :D ....I wouldn't mind buying used, but I don't wanna get taken as I know nothing about the market....if anyone knows of any sales, please post up or shoot me a PM (if ya have vendors on here)....I'm guessing I can't get much for $200???

Thanks in advance for any help....I like to support local stores, and I live in Jax, would drive to Orlando if anyone has recommendations, but I'm also open to online stuff too....

Jason
Click to expand...

The best cue in the $200 range that I know of are Joss cues. I believe that RAT cues that posts here are in that range as well but I've never played with one of his.
 
If I had in that range, I would get this cue:

STSPBS.JPG


Because it lookes effing sweet.

Page for it is here:
http://www.platinumbilliards.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_137_142&products_id=1001653
 
Maybe another viking?

You can always get another viking too, if you liked your previous one i see no reason why another would disapoint. My first cue was a viking as well. The good thing about that is that you can check viking's site for their retail price and compare several online stores for their prices. Since it's a production cue comparing prices won't be too difficult. I ended up finding mine on ebay for a lot cheaper than any online store had it for. Worth looking into
 
Thanks for your responses....

Looked at a few cues over lunch, favorites are still the Vikings....those at $500 and more had the look and feel I liked, looks like more shopping to do...

Thanks for the ideas, will check out those links and some others...
 
After doing some more web-research, have looked at several queues....many were far too expensive, but now looking in the $400 range....best that fit my eye was the Viking F25, the Viking F02, and the Balabushka GB06 replica.....both the F02 an GB06 were a bit high for my new :D $400 price range, but the F25 seems to fit....

Couple of follow-up questions...

Regarding shafts, how many of you carry an additional shaft?

I would think the standard tip offered on a $400 cue is pretty good, but they have tip substitutions....I know this is very personal to each individual, but I figured I might just start off with the stock tip....or are they just trash???

TIA for any help, glad to be a part of the board...
 
For that, I'd go with RAT cues.... check out www.poolndarts.com for his stuff. He posts here as well.

If you plan on going higher than that, check out www.oklahomabilliards.com

If you are spending $500+, custom is the only way to go. Ryan's cues are the ones sub $300 that you just can't beat - new, custom, $200 = :)
 
rat cues

i would buy a rat cue anyday over a joss i just received my rat that he built for me, and it hits VERY VERY well! i play with a bender and know what a good cue hits like! for the money my choice is easy,very easy rat cue over the 400 dollar cue anyday!
 
You might just consider bouncing around some pawn shops in your area. Sometimes you can find a really nice cue for just a steal of a price.

I know of a guy locally who found a Scruggs in a pawn shop. Ended up selling it later for ten times what he bought it for.
 
Thanks for the responses and PM's, appreciate the guidance around the research and going to play with a few more cues tonight :) , life is good...

Couple of follow-up questions, apologies if I missed responses to these:

Regarding shafts, how many of you carry an additional shaft and why?

I would think the standard tip offered on a $400 cue is pretty good, but they have tip substitutions....I know this is very personal to each individual, but I figured I might just start off with the stock tip....or are they just trash???

Thanks again...
 
Big Perm said:
My previous cue was a Viking....bought it in late 80's for $75 when I was in high school....guy I bought it from had a pool hall that went out of business, also bought a table from him.....the cue had a snooker end, said he used it on a snooker table he had in the back....it was a Viking, probably 30+ years old now, the "Viking" part was inset near the butt, about 1/4 inch, and had a clear ring around the name....possible Ivory end on the butt, and the middle part was old school metal and screeched when I put the thing together :D .....it was old, it was ugly, but it was original (yeah, they probably made 10000 that year :D ) looking and it had personality....other guys newer cues all looked the same, sort of a spaceage plastic, and I just never liked the look....

Anyway, long story short, my stick disappeared a few years ago during separation/divorce (suprise huh), and haven't played since....well now, I wanna get started again, and I want another stick with personality....working the search button on here and checking out some for sale sites, cues with personality seem overly expensive, and I'm cheap :D ....I wouldn't mind buying used, but I don't wanna get taken as I know nothing about the market....if anyone knows of any sales, please post up or shoot me a PM (if ya have vendors on here)....I'm guessing I can't get much for $200???

Thanks in advance for any help....I like to support local stores, and I live in Jax, would drive to Orlando if anyone has recommendations, but I'm also open to online stuff too....

Jason
Click to expand...
The most bang for your buck in the $200 range will be a used cue. I even have a Viking cue that was bought from me brand new by my brother and played with very little. He quit playing pool and I bought back his cues last year. Take a look at my used cues and see if you find something you like. If you have decided to go $400 or so take a look at my new cues page. I will make a deal on any of the $500+ range cues with you and get close to your $400 budget.
http://www.hightowercues.com/index.php?page=used_cues
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com
 
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1pRoscoe said:
For that, I'd go with RAT cues.... check out www.poolndarts.com for his stuff. He posts here as well.

If you plan on going higher than that, check out www.oklahomabilliards.com

If you are spending $500+, custom is the only way to go. Ryan's cues are the ones sub $300 that you just can't beat - new, custom, $200 = :)
Click to expand...

I used to play with Pete Petree in Oklahoma City. He makes nice cues and is a nice person. Last I saw him was at Billiard Palace in Tulsa. He sold every cue he brought I think.
 
what's up Big Worm, I mean Big Perm

The cool thing about carrying another shaft is if your tip comes off during play you have a back-up.

Sounds like you haven't played in a while, go with the standard tip for now, and you can decide later if you want to change it. I quit playing for a little while and on my return to the game I noticed that some tips cost upwards of $30. Back in the day I think the most I ever paid was $9

Hope this helps;)
 
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