Poll: Purchasing a cuestick

[JAM]

Purchasing a cuestick

I was going through my closet last week, donating some items to the National Children's Center, and, lo and behold, I found a couple old cuesticks and cases that I forgot I had. One was a Frey sneaky pete. Another one was an old Scruggs and an older McDermott. When I say old, they were from the '80s era when produced. I also have a "George" -- I think that's what it's called -- cue case.

People buy cuesticks for different reasons. My partner, for example, doesn't really give a hoot what the stick looks like. It's all about the "hit" or the "feel." :grin-square:

Other people buy sticks for investment value. There's an affluent local real estate agent in my area who loves pool. He competes in the U.S. Open each year just to absorb the atmosphere and environment. He's not a bad shot and is subject to win in the local tournaments. Well, he has quite a collection of Boar cues, gobbles 'em up like candy every time he knows one is for sale, saying it's all about the investment.

There are also league players who don't want to spend a fortune on a cue and will purchase a production cue that suits their needs for their weekly events. They don't put a lot of value in cuesticks and would rather spend their hard-earned cash on bills and other obligations.

Some women I know are materialistic. My daughter is one of them. She has to have her Gucci purse and Coach bags, yet she can't seem to come up with the 900 bucks to fix her car when it breaks down, putting the bite on me. :angry: Well, I think there's some people out there who might be materialistic about a cue. They want that name-brand cue because it looks pretty stylish in their hands when they're shooting pool.

I'm curious about the demographics of this forum. I see a lot of cuestick threads in the Wanted section. This is a blind poll, so lurkers, please feel free to cast a vote. TIA!

 

[JAM]

I must say it's nice to see the votes so far are leaning towards Option No. 1, the "hit."

That means we've got more players here than collectors, at least as of the time of this writing!

 

[jdxprs]

for me it is a combination of the hit and looks. there are plenty of sticks in the world. not that hard to find one that you like, that covers both aspects.

 

[JAM]

for me it is a combination of the hit and looks. there are plenty of sticks in the world. not that hard to find one that you like, that covers both aspects.

There certainly is a variety to choose from, whether a production-made or a custom-made cuestick.

I'm not a cue aficionado or a regular pool player anymore, and so recognizing the "hit" for me is dififcult. For me, it's more about the weight. I like a 19- or 20-ounce cue when I was hitting 'em.

When my partner was between cues, I remember offering him my sneaky pete Frye, but he said it didn't have the right "hit" or "feel" for him.

He's into a cuestick that has a lot of forward balance and a heavier shaft than normal. Jack Madden made the cuestick that he uses today, and he said it's perfect for him.

He's really picky, too, about the tips. It used to drive me bonkers that it seemed like every tournament we went to, he was putting on a new tip. I just found it hard to understand why he kept putting new tips on. He compared it to driving a car with bald tires. I guess some people wear those tips down faster than others. :grin-square:

 

[gunzby]

for me it is a combination of the hit and looks. there are plenty of sticks in the world. not that hard to find one that you like, that covers both aspects.

I second that. The hit and feel are certainly #1, but I also think the look enhances how you mentally feel about the cue.

I am not a collector by any means so buying one as an investment is none of my concern. If I came into a lot of money I certainly wouldn't be above snatching up high end players, but I am also the type of person where if I am not using it I tend to get rid of it. In other words if the cue isn't my player it will most likely be sold.

A possible exception would be my current player which is my first custom cue. I have a cue being made right now which is something I've been designing in my head for the last year. When I get that I guess I will find out how sentimental I am about my first custom.

 

[JAM]

I second that. The hit and feel are certainly #1, but I also think the look enhances how you mentally feel about the cue....

I can definitely understand that. You could almost compare it to having a dependable car. The car could look like a raggedy bucket, but if it gets you to where you want to go, well, that's what *should* be most important, like a good "hit" on the cuestick. Who cares what it looks like, as long as it performs!?

There is something to be said, though, about driving around in a beautiful automobile. It can give one a good feeling each time they step foot in a car. The parallel, I guess, is when you feel good, you're going to be playing your best pool. So, if you have a beautiful cue in your hands with all the inlays and/or points that are attractive, maybe it does put you in a different state of mind.

After all, once one acquires the mechanical skills of pool, it boils down to mental strength, self-confidence, and, as Jimmy Reid says, the power of positive thinking.

 

[Black-Balled]

Nice find...damn!

I guess it is a matter of the user's perspective. I bet Mc's view is that it is solely a tool.

I am of the too party too(!). If I can't use it right then it is worthless.

I had a cue from a pretty well-known dude and shooting long shots with sidespin? Shiaaat!- who knew where the F that CB was going on the way to the OB?! I was lost...no 'feel'. Worthless cue.

Almost every sentence starts with I.

 

[Black-Balled]

I second that. The hit and feel are certainly #1, but I also think the look enhances how you mentally feel about the cue...

What are you talking about?! This ain't no fashion show!!

A cue is like a shirt or a haircut. You don't have to look at it, everybody else does!:grin-square:

 

[SCCues]

I've bought and sold a ton of cues in my life and i've found that if a cue is made with good materials and assembled well it will play well regardless of who made it (weight, shaft taper, and tip preference to suit the owner's choice). I try to buy and own cues that will hold or increase in their value based on what I paid for the cue. You never know when you may need to sell a cue if you should need some money or just want to try a different cue. When I decide to buy a cue I ask myself "Would someone else like to own this cue as much as I do for what i'm going to pay for it?" and if the answer is yes then it's usually a safe buy if I should need to sell it later on down the road.

Some cue buyers want to own the "IN" cue makers cues and they usually pay a premium price to own those cues. They aren't buying them because they play better than other cues, but because of who the builders name is. Don't get me wrong i'd love to own a room full of Szamboti, Haley, Searing, Gina, Black Boar, and Manzino cues, but my cue budget just won't handle it so I go for what I can afford. I like cues that look and play well and will hold at least the value of what I paid for them........

James

 

[pt109]

the hit......but

I DO care how the cue looks.
Can't stand 'floating points'
Only like 'windows' on the after-wrap
Hate those 'backward facing points' on the after-wrap
Despise anything 'red' on my cue

..but 'whitey' doesn't care what the cue looks like...
..whitey only goes where the cue sends it

I feel the biggest value of having your own cue ...
..is how it spins

 

[Gerry]

back in the day, the "hit " was all i was interested in. I went thru EVERY Maryland style cue maker in the book and settled on Black Boar, Joss, and Schon as my favorites.

Today, I play with an OB-1, so screw it to a tree branch and I'm happy. Also, with the "tech" shafts, I don't have to worry if I get a "good" shaft from a maker, or one with a buch of sugar lines, or too light. Worst thing was getting a great cue with the shaft you like and the back up was a dud....pissed me off to no end. I still have 4 old shafts from back in the day that collect dust JUST in case I ever switch back from the dark side.

JAM, I switch tips all the time when I'm not happy, but I go out to my garage and do them on my lathe , so it's cheap n easy. Layered tip have made finding ones you like MUCH easier IMO.

G.

 

[matcase]

I believe that playability and "top shelf cues" are closely related. Although there are exceptions to every rule, makers who pick top shelf materials, and spend the hours to get top shelf results; also have the top shelf hit, balance, etc.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

Hit/looks/value for me.

Hit is #1. Always was and always will be. I'm a player, not a collector. But after thinking about it looks must play a part. If it's a production cue and I don't like the looks of it I'm probably not going to take it off the wall to try it. From a custom standpoint, why order something you think is ugly?

Same goes for investment. It plays a part. If I'm spending more than a few hundred dollars on a cue I will tend to want to buy something that will hold its value.

 

[tduncan]

Not to get off track but....Show us that 80's Scruggs!

 

[Pushout]

Hit/looks/value for me.

Hit is #1. Always was and always will be. I'm a player, not a collector. But after thinking about it looks must play a part. If it's a production cue and I don't like the looks of it I'm probably not going to take it off the wall to try it. From a custom standpoint, why order something you think is ugly?

Same goes for investment. It plays a part. If I'm spending more than a few hundred dollars on a cue I will tend to want to buy something that will hold its value.

I'd agree with this. Never had the money most of my playing life to have more than one cue at a time. About six years ago I had, I think, four or maybe five cues, Dishaw, Gulyassy, Gilbert, Tucker, Meucci. All gone except for the Dishaw and I have a list and standing offers to buy it if and when I decide to sell it. I've never lost money on a cue and used to have a reputation for knowing quality cues and never had any trouble selling for at least as much as I originally paid, usually more.

Edit: Didn't participate in poll due to my personal opinion.

 

[pwd72s]

I wasn't totally truthful...I clicked "the hit-the feel"...but looks DO matter to me as well.

I love the hit & feel of my Josey...but I dunno if I'd like it so much if it was one of his "other" cues.

I'm a fan of the old style look, razor sharp points...that's what my Josey has.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Can't push any given button on the poll.

I want a cue that has a nice look to my eye, balances right, and a top notch shaft, without breaking the bank. Luckily I found one.

In particular, I like points, veneers, but dislike rings, and metal joints. I also dislike linen wraps.

I dislike metal joints due to where I like the cue balanced, and the lightness of the cue overall weight (just over 17 oz).

 

[JAM]

Thanks to all who took the time to vote on the poll.

For some reason, I didn't think it would be so lopsided. I kind of figured there'd be a lot of collectors, more so than players. I actually am kind of happy to see that the players are in the majority in this poll.

 

[victorl]

I agree that hit is most important but for me a cue is more just a tool to hit balls with. It's an extension of myself and as such i want it to reflect my style and personality. I still havent found "the right one" yet though and i
am sticking with my trusty plain jane until i do.

 

[mdavis228]

I didn't vote because I think the choices are too extreme & regimented. If it doesn't play well - for me - I won't use it. But if I can't enjoy the way it looks and, especially for me, appreciate the expert craftsmanship employed, then I feel like I'd be missing a lot of the enjoyment. Excellence always has something to offer. How it's offered is the beauty of personal choice. Simple doesn't have to equal plain any more than ornate has to equal gaudy. But it really must play well in the end - for me.