the first 12 years i played i used 4 cues, about 3 years each, this is approximate within 6 months,
mcdermott D-26 1.5 years i used it alot
joss east 3 years i really used it alot
Southwest 1.5 years used it alot
Bill Teeter 3.5 years used it more than the rest
Tad 2.5 years used it alot
from 2000 to 2007 i used a Southwest- not to much play on a continous basis, but I used it for along time so the total play is alot over a long time. it plays different than any other SW, its a Ivory point/Ebony cue with a very soft hit for a SW.
Barry Szam its the best cue I own, all the cues above played great except the McD it was just good, i like to change cues about every 2-3 years for some reason, i have had heavy cues,light ones, different tapers, balance points, shaft diameters etc. It took me years to find what I liked. the B.Szam I honestly think is it, besides the fact its the best looking cue I have ever seen, not just my cues but of any cue ever it fits all the criteria I have found to be the best for me which is:
about 20 oz, 13mm shafts, the balance point is good cant explaine it, irish lined wrap(penn) is what I think is on it, and what ever tips Barry used. I have a Gus that plays about the same, The Barry is the fanciest cue I have ever had for a daily player, I like plain cues for players but I enjoy this Barry I cant put it down on the days I can play, so I'll play with a flashy cue, I dont think i'll change cues again because of my experience the result of years of trial and error. I doubt I'll change it in 2 or 3 years it will be my player until it wears out, and that aint gonna happen, i'll use it till its worn down to the wood.
side note I have a Bushka that I have used just a little that seemed to play as good as the Barry or perhaps a bit better-It could have been me having a good day i only used it a few minutes so its not fair to say, I am going to use it for a few hours and see how it compairs, it will never be a daily player-but will be used at home sometimes even if it feels better than Barrys cue.
honerable mention and right up there with Barry,Gus, Bushka, Tad, SW is the new guy Mr. Eric Crisp -Sugartree his cues play awesome. Its hard to rate them but 6 I mentioned he is #4 on the list. And a good guy. I'm friends with other people on the list and dont want to hurt anyones feelings. and its only my opinion nothing is a fact.
as a side note all Gus cues play a little different to me and most SW cues play similar(except my main one), I have one Gus that dosent play at all, i dont know why but it just isnt happining, I have one other with skinny shafts that I dont like(i like the cue itself not the shafts) but I know the reason the shafts, the one that dosent play to well has the specs I like and is in mint condition but for what ever reason it just isnt the best-Jay Helfert said the same thing, funny how that works.