Please educate me, cue purchase question

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hawkeye

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Hi Everyone:

I have a 20 year old Adam cue (still looks great...hardly been played). Still...I've decided I want a new cue. My skill level, play frequency, (and budget) make an entry level, production cue the likely choice.

Yesterday, I was trying some cues out at my local billiards supply store. I found a McDermott cue that felt great, looked nice, and was within my budget.

Here is my question...unlike any other cue I tried, when striking the cue ball with the McDermott cue, there was a definate "TINK!" sound. Is this normal? Might it be due to a harder tip that I've used before?

Please educate me.

-Dan
 
Most likely its the tip. McDermotts are known for their "stiff" hit. 3/18 10 thread into wood makes it hit like a tree trunk.:D
Did other McDermotts at the "Store" hit/sound the same?
 
that sounds like a tip change from what your used to...normaly more of a tink is a harder tip....using a phenolic tip it sounds as if your flicking a ceramic bowl....softer tips sound more like a dull "thud"
 
hawkeye said:
Here is my question...unlike any other cue I tried, when striking the cue ball with the McDermott cue, there was a definate "TINK!" sound. Is this normal?
Click to expand...

Maybe someone should record this sound. I think we shouldn't assume what the sound is, then conclude where it's coming from.

If you don't like the sound, don't buy the cue. If you shoot with an old Adam Cue, a McDermott might feel and sound entirely different.

BTW, IMO, although a tip change can change the sound of a cue, the construction of the cue will lend more difference in sound, from cue to cue than a tip change on the same cue. McDermott doesn't use a tip that's out of the normal range of tip hardnesses.

Fred <~~~ can't shoot with a McDermott... because of the sound
 
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Sore_Aintya said:
Most likely its the tip. McDermotts are known for their "stiff" hit. 3/18 10 thread into wood makes it hit like a tree trunk.:D
Did other McDermotts at the "Store" hit/sound the same?
Click to expand...

I agree, McDermotts all have a very stiff hit.

What I do when looking at a new cue, especially the lower-end cues (price), is to make sure it rolls on a table with no wobble, butt and shaft together and separately. I rub my fingers over all of the seams in the cue, i.e., the butt cap, the joints and any other section(s) that are joined to the cue. If I feel any ridges or roughness, I won't even consider that cue. In other words, everything on the cue should be smooth so that it feels like it's all one peice. And of course you try hitting a ball.

Sounds to me like the cue you tried has something wrong with it. McDermott is usually one of the better cues at the lower price range, imho. As you go up in price, there are many other cues that are better, imho. Good luck!
 
Rickw said:
McDermott is usually one of the better cues at the lower price range, imho. As you go up in price, there are many other cues that are better, imho. Good luck!
Click to expand...

What's so low price about this cue??

http://www.mcdermottcue.com/IQ06_a.asp

Q-06
Intimidator 6
MSRP: $1,049
Now Available!
Highly figured Premium Natural Walnut-stained Birdseye maple forearm; 4 Central American cocobolo, Michigan maple, and recon ebony points in the forearm
25 inlays of box elder burl, recon ebony and Central American cocobolo adorn the sleeve
i-2 SUPER CONTROL shaft: designed for the Advanced level player, or player looking to hit advanced shots; the ultimate for ACCURACY, CONTROL and CONSISTENCY
2 European nickel silver rings
39 total inlays
Top-grain, Lizard-embossed, black leather wrap.

===

Flex
 
Flex said:
What's so low price about this cue??

http://www.mcdermottcue.com/IQ06_a.asp

Q-06
Intimidator 6
MSRP: $1,049
Now Available!
Highly figured Premium Natural Walnut-stained Birdseye maple forearm; 4 Central American cocobolo, Michigan maple, and recon ebony points in the forearm
25 inlays of box elder burl, recon ebony and Central American cocobolo adorn the sleeve
i-2 SUPER CONTROL shaft: designed for the Advanced level player, or player looking to hit advanced shots; the ultimate for ACCURACY, CONTROL and CONSISTENCY
2 European nickel silver rings
39 total inlays
Top-grain, Lizard-embossed, black leather wrap.

===

Flex
Click to expand...


TRUMP!

http://www.mcdermottcue.com/IntimidatorSwordStory.asp
 
Cornerman said:
He didn't say that McDermott cues are all low price.

Fred
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Thanks Fred. You are absolutely right. McDermott has high end cues and lower priced cues. One of the things I've always heard about McDermott is that their lower price cues, according to McDermott, hit as well as their more costly cues but just lack the inlays and other goodies.
 
Flex said:
What's so low price about this cue??

http://www.mcdermottcue.com/IQ06_a.asp

Q-06
Intimidator 6
MSRP: $1,049
Now Available!
Highly figured Premium Natural Walnut-stained Birdseye maple forearm; 4 Central American cocobolo, Michigan maple, and recon ebony points in the forearm
25 inlays of box elder burl, recon ebony and Central American cocobolo adorn the sleeve
i-2 SUPER CONTROL shaft: designed for the Advanced level player, or player looking to hit advanced shots; the ultimate for ACCURACY, CONTROL and CONSISTENCY
2 European nickel silver rings
39 total inlays
Top-grain, Lizard-embossed, black leather wrap.

===

Flex
Click to expand...

I wasn't talking about the cue you listed above. Are you trying to say that this is the cheapest cue that McDermott sells? You don't think they have cheaper cues?
 
Every Cue make a Differennt Sound... Mc Dermoths now I understand have a Lifetime Warranty against things like Warping, or Bad Craftsmanship.
 
hawkeye said:
Hi Everyone:

I have a 20 year old Adam cue (still looks great...hardly been played). Still...I've decided I want a new cue. My skill level, play frequency, (and budget) make an entry level, production cue the likely choice.

Yesterday, I was trying some cues out at my local billiards supply store. I found a McDermott cue that felt great, looked nice, and was within my budget.

Here is my question...unlike any other cue I tried, when striking the cue ball with the McDermott cue, there was a definate "TINK!" sound. Is this normal? Might it be due to a harder tip that I've used before?

Please educate me.

-Dan
Click to expand...

Hawkeye,

Find the McDermott you like online <ebay> or pay retail, either way your getting a great unit. I played some jam-up pool with the Shamrock...good luck
 
hawkeye said:
Hi Everyone:

Please educate me.

-Dan
Click to expand...

Was it a "wood joint" McDermott? If so it should be a soft hit. The only cue that I have ever used that makes the sound of which you speak, was a graphite cue. Man I hated that thing...
 
Flex said:
What's so low price about this cue??

http://www.mcdermottcue.com/IQ06_a.asp

Q-06
Intimidator 6
MSRP: $1,049
Now Available!
Highly figured Premium Natural Walnut-stained Birdseye maple forearm; 4 Central American cocobolo, Michigan maple, and recon ebony points in the forearm
25 inlays of box elder burl, recon ebony and Central American cocobolo adorn the sleeve
i-2 SUPER CONTROL shaft: designed for the Advanced level player, or player looking to hit advanced shots; the ultimate for ACCURACY, CONTROL and CONSISTENCY
2 European nickel silver rings
39 total inlays
Top-grain, Lizard-embossed, black leather wrap.

===

Flex
Click to expand...

Hawkeye, am I mistaken? Are you considering this "entry level" cue for $1,049?!?! McDermotts are nice Dan but in that price range would consider a nice Schon and other alternatives too. JMHO.
 
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McDermott cue question

No, I don't consider that amount a low price.
The price of the cue I was considering was $175. Definately an entry level cue. The discussion evolved past my original question, which was when the higher priced items came into the thread.

I've decided that the McDermott cue, while probably a decent enough item, is not for me. I'm raising my price range a bit and looking at some other models and brands.

I hope that, in time, my game will justify the amount of effort I'm putting into my cue research :)

Thanks to all that responded.
 
Hawkeye,

I have a Jacoby custom cue and I got it with 2 shafts for only $495. Of course that was a couple of years ago and I don't know what that cue would cost today.

I also have a Pechauer and like it a lot too. Just a couple of other cues you might look at. Good luck!
 
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